Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday growing up. When I say this to people, I often get a look of bewilderment or even disgust. Thanksgivings, for many, represent endless awkward conversations with estranged relatives, the dread of trying to prepare a huge feast without adequate assistance and a tug-of-war between family members over whose turn it is to host the event or which dinner to attend. For these reasons, many choose not to celebrate this holiday at all.
I admit I have been lucky. Thanksgivings with the Martain clan, my dad's side of the family, revolve around the concept of who can tell the most humorous, but amazingly, true, story, who can win the family wrestling match, and of course, plenty of food and drink. Spending a whole day with this quirky, lovable family is where I feel most at home. This is my tribe.
To those who do not yet love Thanksgiving, find your tribe to celebrate it with. This tribe may be friends or neighbors, but always people you are thankful for, and you will learn to love it.
Last year, Thanksgiving was different. My dad managed to fall off of a deck and break his pelvis just before Thanksgiving Day, and was stuck in the hospital for quite a while. My husband and I spent turkey day at my mother-in-law's house, which was very pleasant, but I couldn't quite get in the spirit knowing my dad was wearing a backless gown and munching on hospital food.
Dad just celebrated his one year anniversary of falling off of the deck, and is doing very well. For this, I am thankful, and am more than ever looking forward to Thanksgiving with my Martain family. The tribe will have new members this year, an initiation my husband already went through two Thanksgivings ago. My beautiful aunt will be bringing her new fiance, Chris, and my sister will be bringing her boyfriend, Matt.
To new tribe members I say this:
Welcome to Thanksgiving with the Martain clan. Be prepared for general mayhem, hilarity and so forth, but also be prepared to be wholly embraced, as we are famous for doing to anyone willing to spend the day with us. And that, most of all, is what I love about Thanksgiving.
Recent Comments