Thanksgiving thanks and favorites
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy Why are you grateful? With months of bitter political rhetoric leading up to the mid-term elections — and the lingering hateful screeds on social media, it seems appropriate to take stock of what’s right and good. The month of Thanksgiving, should be just that — a month for being thankful. If you haven’t contemplated your personal feelings and reasons, I encourage you to do so. Nothing washes away negativity like mindfulness on what is right.
I asked friends last week on social media why they are grateful — and what their favorite Thanksgiving dinner menu item is. Here are some of their responses. Enjoy. “That I ain’t a turkey.”
“I’m most thankful for my family, and to be blessed to provide for my family. My favorite menu item is dressing.”
“My family. My mama’s dressing.”
“I am thankful to be able to go see my son and his family for Thanksgiving. And dressing is my favorite.”
“A mind to rhyme and two hype feet. Seriously, I’m thankful that my father is still alive, though he is quite frail, and I’ll get to see him at Thanksgiving.” “Thankful for my family. Green bean casserole.” “Thankful for my parents, but I wish my mother could have convinced my grandmother to give her the dressing recipe before she died. Not that the Piccadilly in Alexandria doesn’t have good frozen dressing.”
“Thankful to have survived a traumatic brain injury. Dressing.”
“I’m thankful that the historical genocide that took place after that first Thanksgiving can be completely erased and that people can brag about all they have on FB the entire month of November. Happy holiday of gluttony and football. Murcia.”
“My health and my family. Mincemeat pie with whipped cream.”
“I am most thankful for salvation and God’s grace and mercy. Also, my family and friends. I love chicken and dressing.”
“Thankful for family, friends, and health. My favorite dish is still my mom’s chicken and dressing, even though I’m the one that makes it now.”
“The health of my family is our greatest blessing. Our favorite Thanksgiving dish is the turkey-and-sausage gumbo that comes the day after the big meal.”
“I am most thankful to be able to spend the holiday with my parents and that they are healthy and able to enjoy family time.”
“My favorite dish is my mamma’s dressing, followed closely by hash brown casserole.”
“A Democratic House. And the heritage turkey Clara orders in October, hoping for a Bourbon Red this year, but it’s whatever the farm sends us.”
“Thankful that my daughter invites us to her home and does all the cooking! All the vegetable dishes are my favorite.”
Daughter of above comment: “Awwww. I’m thankful ya’ll show up. Lol. My favorite on Thanksgiving Day is the dressing. My favorite the day after is pumpkin pie for breakfast!”
“I’m thankful I’m home (New Yorker who recently moved home after years of living in El Dorado) where stuffing is stuffing and dressing goes on the salad. And stuffing is my favorite part of Thanksgiving.”
“Thankful for my Savior and family. Turkey and dressing and cranberry sauce.”
“I’m most thankful for being alive and cancer free. My favorite meal is just dressing and no dressing.”
As for me, I am thankful for my family, a wonderful family of friends, three dogs and to have the privilege of living in America. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are surrounded by the reasons you are grateful.
Shea Wilson is the former managing editor of the News-Times. Email her at melsheawilson@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter.com @sheawilson7.