Thanksgiving's Thanks

What does this holiday mean to people? Does its meaning still fit its title?

It is typically the one holiday family members will go out of their way to gather around the table to endure each other's company long enough to fulfill the year's family obligation while stuffing one's self with food of the most fattening kind.

There is no holiday songs like the Fourth or Christmas. No holiday candy or parties like Halloween or New Year's. The only true recognition Thanksgiving makes is it marks the beginning of Christmas shopping the day after with Black Friday. The day is loosing its respect by most major retail remaining open on what should still be a family day. Soon all luxury will be lost where everyone will be open for business voiding any sacredness.

Thanksgiving, as a small child, I must admit holds little memory for me. However, in my teenage years through college it holds more meaning. Somehow my family on my mother's side started meeting at my grandparents' time-sharing in Gatlinburg. There Granny would prepare her finest meals of every delicious kind. Then we spent the remainder of the evening recovering from bloated bellies by surrounding the fireplace or adjourning to the hot tub. The following day we rarely went shopping just because the Black Friday in Gatlinburg, particularly in Pigeon Forge, is hell on earth. Wall to wall traffic inhabiting the biggest rednecks. Instead, my family usually endured the traffic long enough to reach Chimney Rock Trail- 2 miles up to wonderful views of the Smokies Mountains.

In more recent years it was decided that Granny worked herself too hard with preparation and it would be easier for her to remain in Nashville, which has been a good experience as well. Usually someone is invited as a guest, whether present boyfriend/girlfriend or friend. It is a time for the extended family to catch up on personal events and any other current event topics. Thanks to my cousin Brook and her studies in psychology we always have the pleasure of hearing new current psycho research. Thanks to my aunt's interest in the environment we are drawn into political debates. And thanks to my father and uncle no one is allowed to take themselves seriously. Since my family encompasses several different religious and political and social views conversations are always lively with intrigue and edginess. The conversations are what I am thankful for because we do not take the disagreements personally.

This year however will be very different for all my family. It will be the first time we have come together since my grandfather's death in January and it will be our first Thanksgiving without him at the head of the table. I will admit I will not miss walking on eggshells about topics of discussion in his presence, but knowing there is an empty chair will be hard to accept. His abstinence, his hardheaded opinions, and his laughter will be greatly missed.

So yes, Thanksgiving does have true meaning for me. I am thankful for my family and the time I have to spend with them.