Who’s Thankful…that Thanksgiving is over?

Ready to bubblewrap my pumpkin collection and store in the attic for 2017.

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Who’s thankful that the very long Thanksgiving weekend is now one for the history books?

[After examining my readership, I am wondering if the many countries listed in my Google Analytics are actually ‘ex-pats’ from America.  If so, you will definitely understand today’s post.]

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THANKSGIVING in America.

You’ve read them.  I’ve read dozens.

And I have certainly laughed out loud at the numerous articles on slightly tragic, but hilarious Thanksgiving Family Reunions.

Pick up any popular mainstream magazine in November and more likely than not, there will be an article recounting a Thanksgiving get-together void of any thanks or giving.

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Have you read blogs or articles about….

The one person who gets upset that the baker of the pumpkin pie did not use Grandma’s tried and true concoction…

…but opted for a new recipe from the current Southern Living Magazine.

Now that’s a dastardly deed. Indeed!

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Or how about the person who was F-O-R-C-E-D against (his or her) will to attend the annual event?

That person elects to go mute for 4 consecutive days.  Daring not to get eye contact (a book used as a prop) or answering all questions with no more than 3 words.

“I don’t care.” or “I don’t know.” or “Leave me alone.” 

Wednesday.  Thursday.  Friday.  Saturday.

96 hours total of saying a whole lot …without using words.

Now that makes the fellowship fabulously fun.

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Conversely, there’s THAT relative who talks incessantly about how HUMBLED they are….

about their undeniable career success!

or their too-many-to count fleet of cars in the driveway of their McMansion!

or their non-stop, globe-trotting adventures to exotic places like the Arctic or the Amazon! (I visit Amazon weekly, myself, as a Prime Member.)

  And all of this information has been shared within the first 4 minutes after saying, “Hello”.

Oh, please.  Enough already.  We get it.  You win.

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And last but not least.

That cool relative who must – without exception – drop the F-Bomb to announce their arrival on the scene!

And yes, they are so much more hip than we (old-fashioned-stick-in-the-muds) are.

Sorry, cussing and cursing is not cool around young ears.  Period.

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Even if your family is perfectly wonderful and everyone loves everybody all of the time…

There is and will always be Thanksgiving stories for the ages to be told.

That’s just the way it is.

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Remember, I mentioned that I am working on researching the differences between Millennials and Baby Boomers?

Well, after this Thanksgiving, I decided to write an article just for my two adult sons.

But of course, I am going to share it with YOU!

(If you have Millennial kids, you may want to share this post with them before next Thanksgiving.)

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~My Recipe for a lifetime of Thanksgiving Dinners… full of grace and gratitude~

The Don’t List First

1.  Don’t force or coax any family member against their will to attend. It’s not fair to the family members who really want to be there.

2.  Don’t use the weekend for your personal platform to convince your relatives that you are more successful than they are. It’s completely boring when all you do is brag and boast.

3.  Don’t get mad at anyone for anything.  Get over it all.  It’s a weekend, for Pete’s Sake.  In a few short days, you will get in your car and go back to your own life.

4.  Don’t show hurt even if your feelings are absolutely justified.  Extract yourself from the situation graciously without causing a disruptive and awkward scene.  Again, it’s a weekend, and your car is full of gas – ready to take you home.

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The Do List

1.  Do pray before you arrive that there will be family unity during the weekend and an increased bond after the reunion is over.

2.  Do take every opportunity to ask more questions than launching into a narcissistic soliloquy about your life. (Remember God gave you 2 ears and only 1 mouth.)

3.  Do understand the most basic, fundamental truth about family.  There is nothing more precious and valuable in life.  There should be no obvious competition between siblings because you guys are on the same team.  You are truly stronger together.  Remember that.

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What am I thankful for this November?

I am enormously thankful for my husband of almost 33 years.

My heart is full of gratitude that my adult sons still want to celebrate the holidays with me and their dad.

I am beyond proud of how my 2 boys handle themselves around each other and their extended family members.

And I am so very grateful for the life lessons learned this past weekend.

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I mentally wrote this post on the trip home from my Thanksgiving weekend.

Family First.

After I’m long gone – my wish for my two sons is….

They will anticipate with joy and eagerness to share a delicious meal together, hear their small children squeal over a silly board game, and think of how they can genuinely be a blessing for their nieces and nephews throughout the year.

The secret to a quality and fulfilling life is FAMILY.

I enjoyed writing this post so much this morning.

Why?

Because I honestly believe my sons have learned everything I wanted to teach long before I wrote one word this November 29th .

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Thank you for reading.

I have a great idea for my next post.  Stay Tuned.