Another day of gobbling fits has rolled around. The airports have been clogged with people traveling to their family homes for this popular holiday. Retailers are armed and ready to welcome the masses for shopping bouts of sheer frenzy, and turkeys everywhere can finally breathe a sigh of relief. For now. This year, my heart has a bit of emptiness in it.

As I watch people gather together to eat, I wonder about the people that have no one to gather with. How do they feel watching families come together for rejoicing? I know one woman that lost her husband the day before Thanksgiving last year. There is a family that is mourning the shooting of their young teenage daughter in my city. Others yet are estranged from their families due to their choice of lifestyle. Why, I just read about a family that was evicted because the landlord squandered their rent money instead of paying the mortgage. While I prepare to facilitate the Circle on the Beaver Moon, we will be discussing being thankful and gratitude; however, what about the people that do not get a moment to look towards the heavens to say thank you?

There is of course the scapegoat defense that arises during this time of year. People feel the need to eat beyond the normal constraints of a human stomach. Have they forgotten how long leftovers last? The restaurants will be packed by tomorrow evening because turkey will be a tired taste by then: turkey sandwich, turkey soup, turkey and rice……sigh. Damn the turkey.
You will hear, “Oh, I will start my workout right after the holidays in the New Year”….Tell me, how many New Year’s Resolutions are actually kept? Fitness and nutrition are not seasonal trends that can be bent this way and that. They require dedication on a daily basis. If a person is truly dedicated to their own upkeep, they will not be seen at the dinner table piling on ridiculous amounts of food.

Let us touch on the amount of conflict that arises during large holiday gatherings. Most adults live a good distance away from their parents. However, once in close quarters, many mothers feel the need to resume their once very dominant position and begin to impose rules and regulations that have no place in the plate of a grown adult. There may be new mates at the table that are not liked by anyone except for the significant other and often with good reason. There is always the abandoned drunken uncle that no one will claim. What if he begins to spew secrets about the family that cause deep pain? The holiday season is not as pleasant for everyone as the media would have us believe.

I would also like to make the Hurry Up List. What is the Hurry Up List?…..
HURRY UP LIST
1.)IF YOU ARE SINGLE…”WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO START DATING?”
2.) IF YOU ARE DATING…”WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET MARRIED?”
2A.) IF YOU ARE DATING AND LIVING TOGETHER…”WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET MARRIED AND STOP LIVING IN SIN?”
3.) IF YOU ARE MARRIED…”WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A BABY?”
4.) IF YOU ARE MARRIED WITH A BABY…”HAVE YOU GIVEN ANY THOUGHT TO ANOTHER CHILD?”
5.) IF YOU ARE WELL SEASONED AND WORKING…”WELL, WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO RETIRE?”

I will address this list in further detail in another post….

HOW I PLAN TO SPEND MY DAY
This holiday normally sees me on a stage somewhere far away performing for hours and a time. I often feel quite lonely until I return home and begin my journey to my family residence. By the time I normally arrive, the gathering has dwindled and I can get to the food without any lines or waiting. Fortunately, my parents recognize this as a career standard and happily welcome me late. When I am not performing on turkey day, I make the rounds to the places of invitation and finally roll around to my final destination of my parents. Today will be a different Thanksgiving for me.

Today, I have begun with blogging and a cup of moon tea. It shall be followed by meditation with a crystal quarts on into stretching, working out, and will be rounded with a nice hot bath to soothe my body. I expect to begin my journey early in the afternoon for the early dinner. The thoughts of the lonely still creep in my mind and perhaps, I should light a candle for them. When this day is over, I shall sleep soundly. Happy Thanksgiving!