Thanksgiving - the Ideal Holiday

I ran the following essay in our Ward Newsletter for November:
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Thanksgiving -the Ideal Holiday


That's saying a lot, I know, but just give me a chance to explain.  Of course, you might already agree with me and wonder what all the fuss is about.  In that case, just turn the page and continue enjoying this newsletter.

As I said, Thanksgiving is the ideal holiday.  For one thing it hasn't been commercialized like Christmas or Mother's Day.  Most years go by without my getting a single Thanksgivings Day card.  And I don't think I've ever gotten a present from Saint Turkey.   Not having to worry and worry and worry about what to get my wife for Thanksgiving goes a long way to making this the ideal holiday.

Don't get me wrong.  Thanksgiving CAN be stressful, if we let it.  If we know that cousin Jimmy always causes an argument with Uncle Tim, we just arrange to have one or both of them NOT invited.  And if Aunt Millie can't stand the sight of the carved turkey, she can preside at the young folks' table.  For Thanksgiving, you can make your own rules.

Speaking of rules, who says that you have to have a big roast turkey dinner and invite everyone you know and a few you don't?  You just might want to spend the day alone reflecting on all the thing s you're thankful for - including some time alone.  Be warned, though, about eating out for Thanksgiving.  We tried that once.  The food was delicious but the restaurant took a dim view of us when we went to snack on the leftovers.

Thanksgiving is for everyone.  We can have a big Thanksgiving dinner and invite the Silversteins down the street or my co-worker Abrahim Akbar without worrying if we'll offend someone.  Thanksgiving means to give thanks whether it is to God or Allah.  Or to treasure within your heart. Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful, to be thankful, without worrying about your neighbor's beliefs or what he thinks about yours.  Thank your friends for being your friends, your family for being your family; and your dog for helping to clean up the dropped turkey bits.