My son’s favorite holiday takes place this month. Yes, since the time he was small, Evan has looked forward to Thanksgiving more than any other holiday of the year.
I always thought that a bit strange, especially when he was little and the lure of Santa Claus and presents was still strong. I could understand his less-than-favorable opinion of Halloween – he was never crazy about pretend play or dressing up – or Easter – candy was not really one of his favorite treats – but I was puzzled why he chose that holiday over Christmas.
One late fall day a few years back, I asked him why he preferred Thanksgiving to Christmas. Was it the special foods like turkey, stuffing and apple pie? Or was it something else?
In his wisest preteen voice, he told me. “On Thanksgiving, there’s no distractions like presents or candy or fireworks to get to,” he said. “It’s just about being with my family.”
I have to admit I was dumbstruck. When you’re an adult, and the member of the family with the largest dining room, Thanksgiving often becomes a blur of cleaning and shopping and cooking. It’s easy to forget that it’s the one holiday a year when “we gather together” to appreciate our good fortune, and our family.
After we talked, I walked into our dining room and thought about all the family and friends who have sat around my table in the 14 or so years since I took over the holiday, and how many are not with us now.
I shed more than a couple of tears.
Evan is right, November – and Thanksgiving – is – and should be – about family. In many ways its a gift we sometimes overlook.
Speaking of family, I’m grateful to Sharon Ashton for her advice on page 8 on what to look for if you’re heading home for the holidays, especially if you haven’t seen an elder loved one for a while. I’m also grateful to my legal writer, Gina Barry, for her tips on page 4 on how to coordinate help if you find there’s something amiss.
From all of us at PRIME – graphic designers, advertising sales personnel, circulation and delivery staff, photographers and editorial – may you and yours enjoy a happy, and memorable, Thanksgiving.
