The common practice around this time of the year is to look back and give thanks, but what does that mean to you? Maybe everything I'm about to say is something you've already come to realize, or describes how you've always done things. That's great, but it might not be the shared experience you think it is. My version of what Thanksgiving was/is differs from quite a few people, I imagine. Or maybe it's strikingly similar.
When I was younger, I think it just blandly meant to say thank you. I'd mumble it along with the other kids in my family before tucking into dinner. Another holiday where I get to see all my cousins and drink too much soda. As I got older, I began to understand that it was something a bit more. We'd talked about it in school, learned the history, ext, ext. I'd give thanks for the friends and family that were present, give thanks for those who'd passed on or just weren't with us and wish them the best as we all salivated, overlooking our suppers. But now, I realize that it can be something so much more.
I'd like to use Thanksgiving to really give thanks. To remember those who have gotten us to the points we're at and reflect on it. How we've grown, how we've changed, how far we've come since the last time we all sat down to gorge on our separate feasts. I'd like to use this day, not just to say thanks, but to mean it. To talk to those who you feel appreciation towards, those who you're affectionate with, those who make you laugh, those who make you smile. I want to use this day to reach out and tell them thanks, to show them that they mean something. Show them that you care. To tell someone that they helped you get through a rough patch, that they brightened your day, that they kept you motivated, or whatever the case may be. I want Thanksgiving to have the same kind of warmth that Christmas does. That same kind of happiness and peace that envelopes everyone, regardless of religious celebrations, and brings us all together. Let's truly make Thanksgiving the Christmas Part 1 that we've all been saying it is for the last years. Make someone smiles. Make them feel loved. Tell someone thank you, whether it's because they've been a good friend, or just because they're a good person. Spread some joy and cheer, and then coast on that shit until Christmas, and use that day as a second high, and just OD on joy and cheer until St. Patrick's Day, or whatever your next favorite holiday is.
Thank you, whoever you are, for taking the time to read my writing, whether it's just this one piece or any number of them. I appreciate it more than I could express with words, which is extremely upsetting as a writer. I'm glad you've taken the time to see what I had to say, even if it was a silly story, or a fantasy piece, or something like this. Thank you, and I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.
-Connor