Don't Try This At Home

Thanks for the Memories

By Bob on November 19, 2012 4:45 AM

It sounds like a cliché to say it, but WOW this year has gone by fast. Thanksgiving, that day where we bow in respect to the patron saint of Gravy and his partner football, arrives Thursday. This Thanksgiving will be different for Charlotte and me for several reasons.

 

"Different" is an understatement. This holiday may be unrecognizable from any we've had in almost 35 years of marriage. Hold on Boomer Nation, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Lemme splain it you.

Charlotte and Cole 

Like you, Charlotte and I have a lot to be thankful for. But there's the rub. The things we'll give thanks for on Thursday are the same things that have turned our Thanksgiving world upside down.

 

We're Thankful

 

Our son Cole is a full-fledged resident of New York now. He's got a job (that's a BIG thanks) an affordable apartment with a good roommate and good health (thank you - thank you - thank you). Maybe best of all, he survived Hurricane Sandy and her Storm of the Century (Thanks again).

 

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Our traditional Thanksgiving movie marathon featuring Elizabethtown, The Red Shoes and Dazed and Confused

 

Since he is thankfully employed and doesn't have any time off, he most likely will not get to spend Thanksgiving with us this year. I know that just by typing this, I'm risking a few tears from Charlotte. Sorry, honey, we'll still watch our traditional Thanksgiving movie marathon featuring Elizabethtown, The Red Shoes and Dazed and Confused (I promise).

 

Again, we're thankful for all of these things. I bet when you break it down, Charlotte's tears are composed of 98% gratitude 1% sadness and 1% from the cheap nice Thanksgiving wine we'll be drinking Thursday evening.

 

My Mom and Dad

We're Thankful

 

I lost both of my parents in the past 13 months. Mom was the first to go. About 6 weeks ago I lost my Dad...who pretty much died of a broken heart (they were married 61 years). Since my birthday is just a couple of days past Thanksgiving, Mom and Dad always found a way to call me (usually at the crack of dawn, because I, "woke them up when I was born").

 

This is the year the phone won't ring.

 

I've heard my father say in his imitable voice, "Bob, this is your father John" (as if I had amnesia and suddenly forgotten who he was) for the last time. It's OK. We're still thankful for the life he lived and the time we had together. Love you, Dad. Love you, Mom.

 

Things change. We're thankful for that, too.    

 

So this Thanksgiving give thanks for whatever you've got, with whoever you're with. The meal and the company don't really matter. It could be a full-blown turkey feast with family, or a meal you'll share with your two best friends Jim Beam and Dinty Moore. Those are more than enough reasons to celebrate.

 

Like I said...we're thankful for these things and million more. Most all, we're thankful for the memories.

 

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

 

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