An Open Letter to the People of America from Thanksgiving

An Open Letter to the People of America from Thanksgiving

Dear People of America,

I know it’s lame to write this in a letter, but I’m just too upset to talk in person. I’ve been meaning to talk with you about this for years, but I've never been able to bring myself to do it. My therapist says if I’m ever going to move forward, I have to get this off my chest. So here goes:

I’m feeling really ignored by you. I feel that you skip right over me to Christmas, like I’m not even there. When I see all of the Christmas decorations in your stores and hear you play Christmas music when I haven’t even arrived yet, it hurts. It hurts badly. I have needs, too, you know. And I need you to be fully present with me.

I’m a realist. I know I’ll never be your #1 holiday. I know I can’t give you the music that Christmas can. I know I can’t offer you the frenzied mass consumerism and crushing credit card debt, or the awful, formulaic, merchandise-driven holiday movies. But, not every holiday can be Christmas. And, I think I deserve to be respected for the holiday that I am. It’s not like I’m Presidents’ Day, for chrissakes.

Okay, it’s true. I do devalue an entire, well-developed civilization that was in America for thousands of years before the Pilgrims ever landed, making the Pre-existing folks out to be a bunch of savages. And I’ll admit I also make going to the store to buy toilet paper the day before I arrive a living hell. But, what holiday is perfect? Halloween promotes tooth decay and begging, but you don’t see anyone holding that against it, do you?

I’ve given my all to you over the years. I’ve given and given and given. Every year since you were a kid, you’ve gotten a four-day holiday from me. I’ve given you a free pass to a full day of sitting on your butt, watching football. Doesn’t that count for something?? And let me just say two words: Pumpkin Pie.

I’m not going to bother you anymore after this. I have my pride. I’ve said my peace. And if you choose to continue to eclipse me with your participation in the ever-expanding shop-‘til-you-drop Christmas season, so be it. I’ll accept your decision and leave you alone forever. (I know you’ve been thinking about it, but I beg you to leave Halloween alone, it isn’t as resilient as I am. It would be crushed.)

I think ultimately you’d miss me, People of America, because we’re good together, you and I. So, from my heart, I hope you decide to give me – no - to give the beautiful thing we have together a chance.

You can leave a message on my cell with your decision.

With all my love and hopes for a renewed relationship,

Thanksgiving

ouch and deserved.

Dear Thanksgiving,

Do not be fooled by the merchadisers and retailers of the world. They seem to start pushing Christmas - their money-making season - further forward each year, to the exclusion of everything else. Do not look to the malls, who start hanging snowflakes in Florida malls before any have even flown yet in North Dakota. Do not listen to commercial radio, which again, is driven by retailers and their bankers pushing merchandise.

Look instead, dear Thanksgiving, into the hearts and kitchens of America. Try to find a parking space at a supermarket two days before your day. Look into ur kitchens, and our phone bills, as family members - those related and those just family of the heart - figure out holiday plans, and where we will gather, and with whom.

Look into our kitchens, as recipes used once a year are pulled out from boxes, or emailed across the miles, and people wistfully remember "how Nanna made it," or wishes we had had Mother write down that recipe before she died. And look, oh dear Thanksgiving, at the variety - it is so American - and so YOU! One family I know must have their Thanksgiving ravioli, another pumpkin soup - if only so the kids get the roasted seeds - and other a certain roll, or bread, or pie ... how important you are, and how beautiful and how varied!

Thanksgiving, you get parades in New York City! You get football games all over the country - and no game is as important to a high schooler as the big "Thanksgiving rivalry" game.

Thanksgiving, for you, we travel, we bake, we plan, and we embrace the ones we love, whether over the phone lines that day, or in person at the airport, bus station, or in our own driveways.

You, Thanksgiving, are associated with the things that give life real meaning - love, friendship, memories, tradition and food.

Don't listen to the stock market or the retailers, Thanksgiving, listen to our hearts. You are the one holiday that crosses ethnic and religious boundaries and welcomes everyone to participate. You are not at fault for the harm done to Native peoples, and in fact are the first place most children learn that there were people already here when the Mayflower arrived. You are not disappearing from our hearts, Thanksgiving, or from our calendars, no matter what the media tells you.

Listen to me, Thanksgiving, and look into the hearts of Americans, who put this day truly aside in their increasingly frantic lives, and rejoice. You are part of us, Thanksgiving, just as we are a part of you.

Much love,

Karen

Hey Thanksgiving! I love you! You give me that four day weekend every year! ;) And you are the one day that we can eat all day long, as much as we want, and it's ok. :D I had dinner planned and most items bought a week ago. And yes, on your day, I do thank the Lord for all I have and seem to forget what I don't have. Thank you Thanksgiving! :)

I can't believe I'm talking to a day :rolleyes:

RedHedd, where'd this letter originate? Just curious.

Karen, your response brought a smile to my face! I do like thanksgiving, in fact it is one of my favorite holidays because my family actually can GET ALONG for one day out of the year :P

And besides...its an excuse to eat a LOT of stuffing ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chocolatepuppy

I can't believe I'm talking to a day :rolleyes:

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LOL that made me grin :D.

Nice response Karen :).

:D Thanksgiving, you're my favorite holiday, for all the reasons Karen worte about. It's almost time for you again. Just this morning my oldest son called and asked "Mom, are you going to make that same stuffing you did last year?" I could hear the anticipation and optimism in his voice. And yes, I will make my mother's stuffing recipe...again. My mom's long gone, but her stuffing lives on! I guess that's what makes Thanksgiving so very special - it is filled with the smells that bring back memories of my parents cooking together, as I sat in a corner of the kitchen nibbling on goodies, amidst the rustle of pots & pans. Thank YOU, Thanksgiving, nobody does it like you! :)

Yes, Karen said it the BEST~

I always await "Thanksgiving Day" with wide eyed antisipation!!!

The house just has to be filled with the satisfying aroma of a Turkey in the oven, as my heart is also filled with the very same joy that I experienced , so many years ago.

Yes Thanksgiving, You are very much ALIVE and WELL.

You're a Wonderful Tradition , as your coming melds family and friends together to give Thanks for all of the Blessings We hold so very Dear .


I'll Honor You , Always ;)