On Thanksgiving, and the current situation thereof:

For the first time in over thirty years, Thanksgiving has been cancelled. Not officially, of course, but is has been at my mother's house. Our family has reached that point- all of the children have grown, moved off, and started on a life all their own. Actually, that was true for everyone in my family but me five years ago. Now, I too have moved off and gotten married (in that order, even). So, in a whirlwind on events, all but one of my mother's children have been scheduled to appear at their respective in-laws for Thanksgiving. That one, I assume, is the eldest, although I do not have any confirmation that he is staying in-town for the day. Sammi and I are also exluded from the in-law gig: her parents are in Vietnam for the time being. Our excuse for not showing is that we live 200 miles away, and I don't have the day after Thanksgiving off from work.

"So what," you might ask. "It isn't like this is the first time in history that a family hasn't spent Thanksgiving together." That is true, but it is the first time us. It is a landmark event. It is akin to taking away a toddlers woobie (if you don't know what a woobie is, please rent and watch Mr. Mom starring Micheal Keaton). Sure, it isn't life-ending, but it is a harsh reality to deal with- tossing out thirty years of family tradition.

All is not lost. My family has arranged to meet for dessert that evening. That is a great comfort for me, knowing that my mother doesn't have to spend the day alone. It may not be the full-blown feast, but I'm sure we all understand that sometimes, it is the best you can do. And for that, I am thankful.

So, that is the downside to this year's Thanksgiving. The upside is that it is the first of many that I plan on spending together with my wife Sammi. And for that, I am most thankful.

Wm.