In general, Thanksgiving is a terrible holiday for me. Really really bad things have happened on this holiday and it is generally one I "get through". In Seattle, Thanksgiving is generally started or met with a big storm: lots of wind, lots of precipitation; this year we didn't get snow, but often we do. So, I have spent many a Thanksgiving in the dark, cooking a turkey on the barbecue, and sides on the camp stove, and wood stove. One year, my parents decided to take Thanksgiving as the opportunity to tell the family that they were getting a divorce. The following year they were in court. Two years, I have been in the ER and once with my grandmother. All four years of college, I struggled with planes to get to family for Thanksgiving and more often than not, the flight was canceled due to mechanical failure. One year my ex-husband followed (unknowingly) my parents example, and announced that we were getting divorced - much to my surprise. The following year, our court date was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Twice I have been laid off the Wednesday before. And twice I have lost very beloved pets. I am 43 - that's a high percentage of Thanksgivings that have been ruined in one way or another with sadness and misery.
This year, I am thankful and happy to report that the day has dawned bright and clear. It is the second year that I will be participating in the Turkey Trot and I think I have begun a very joyful tradition. I have even managed to rope 4 friends into joining me! 4 of us will be strolling and one will be running - we will meet her at the finish line. :)
Too, I am avoiding the family drama - no reason to stress myself out with questions about MF and if it is "good"; no reason to deal with the overwhelming personalities and pool of old arguments, I am tossing my husband in as our representative, but he handles it better. I am staying away. I have been invited to participate in Thanksgiving with our friends and am overjoyed that they are embracing and supportive of my need to be lean and green. Another couple is coming and she is gluten free so we will all have a our dietary delights to share. :)
But mostly I am thankful that I work at a non-profit that truly serves the families in my community. This past month we have been collecting food and organizing it so that this past Saturday, our families could come and do their Thanksgiving shopping. 24 families took home two bags of food, a turkey, spices, and a gift card to their preferred grocery store so that they could purchase fresh veggies or whatever. Unfortunately, I missed one application and 1 family came to pick up their food and we didn't have any for her. My heart broke on Monday. She didn't cry, but I could tell it was a struggle. I sent her away with a gift card - but felt so very terribly inadequate. I am super excited to report that I was able to call her yesterday and let her know we had collected more for her. She left with her bags of food and TWO turkeys! She shared that she had food stamps but that they were supposed to last through mid-December and she hadn't wanted to have to "blow" it on a Thanksgiving dinner; so she was overjoyed to know that they had both Thanksgiving AND Christmas meals taken care of, now. She gave me the biggest hug. And I am reminded that THIS is what Thanksgiving is all about.
Thanksgiving is about being thankful and being generous with our community. It is about focusing on what we can do and what we have been able to do. The Turkey Trot benefits the food bank - and I added a donation equivalent to the number of pounds I have lost. I love my family and so much more from afar. I love and am thankful for the support of my husband who will be my shield and my representative today. And I love and appreciate this MF community with your wealth of ideas and support!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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