Thanksgiving « neverimitate

The theme for this week’s ‘Remember the Time’ Blog Hop is: Thanksgiving

I should have known. When I clicked on The Waiting‘s Thursday post to see what this week’s Blog Hop theme was going to be, I realised that I should have known. What else were they likely to choose today?

The celebration called Thanksgiving is particular to America. Guys, how am I, an Irish person living in England, supposed to have memories of Thanksgiving? Plus, the post I rustled up earlier today has already used this idea, albeit in a different way that doesn’t ‘remember the time’.

But hey, I am the writer, yes? I can interpret this prompt any way I choose. So, doing what we want is going to be the driver for this post.

What do I remember when I trawl through my memories for links to Thanksgiving? I guess it has got to be Wednesday Addams.

You see my American friends, when I think of Thanksgiving, I think not of the Pilgrims graciously inviting Pocahontas to join them and share their sumptuous banquet, but of Wednesday Addams. I admit she is a sort of heroine of mine.

Despite having been a cute, blond, chubby little child (see below), I have never felt the need to try to retain my blond hair (my hair is now light brown). I have rarely been attracted to those with sunny, blond hair, particularly when it comes out of a bottle. I guess I associated blond with bimbo more than having fun. Now, who have I insulted with that revelation?

I have a fair few family members and friends who may well feel a tad put out by such a blunt statement. To them I say, your hair, your choice; do what you want! I just never fancied it for myself.

(Well, except for that one summer when I experimented with a product called Sun-In, which turned my head a strange shade of yellow and taught me a valuable lesson about pesky roots, but I digress.)

Dark haired Wednesday Addams was sassy, honest and original. Not for her the need to conform to society’s idea of beauty. Perhaps this is why I am more attracted to Loki than Thor. I like the bad child with reasons more than the supposedly handsome goody two shoes. I like it when people do what they want rather than what society expects.

I loved the way that Wednesday silenced the silly, little, blond screamer

And how much fun she and her cohorts had with this patronising pair (although please don’t try this at home, kids).

Back in the day, I was taught by this film that Thanksgiving was an American celebration of oppression, but that we didn’t have to accept such behaviour today. We could learn from history. I took home the message that those in control would always expect compliance, but it was our choice whether or not to live by their rules.

Of course, there was always the subsequent punishment to consider.

I think being made to watch hours and hours of sickly, sweet Disney films with patronising, moralistic happy endings would have broken me too.

Unless, of course, the Disney film in question happened to feature my favourite god.

We can all be thankful for a little bit of mischief and magic in our lives from time to time.

To read the other posts in this Blog Hop, click on the link below.

My American friends and acquaintances are today celebrating Thanksgiving. I do not know a great deal about the origins of this national holiday but, from the little that I have read, some of the historical details are a bit suspect. By that I mean, as I understand it, some of the things that happened way back may not be the sort of things that should be celebrated. Nevertheless, it is now a long, holiday weekend with a tradition of spending time with family to give thanks for what each has. I like the idea of that.

I like the idea of stopping what we are doing for a little while and giving thanks. I am thankful for the good health that I and my family enjoy, for our comfortable home and for my husband’s ability and willingness to work hard and thereby provide us with all the essentials and a fair few luxuries as well. I am thankful for the love, care and consideration that I experience each day from those around me. I am also thankful for my friends.

I have given my friends quite a hard time over the past couple of years. As I have backed away from so much social contact, concentrating my efforts on my writing and on line presence, my friends have not been given the time and attention that they deserve. As I have struggled with my own inner demons, I have neglected the many friends who have been there for me. I am thankful that they have put up with how I have treated them, that they have made the effort to stay in touch and meet up on the terms that I can cope with.

I love the way it is possible to have minimal contact with old friends but then, when we do manage to get together, often after many years of not seeing each other in person, our enjoyment and conversation feels so natural, as if we did this all the time. I hope that these friends know how much I treasure them.

Newer friends have been willing to schedule in time for walks with me, even when their lives are so busy, thereby allowing me the one to one social contact that I can manage. If it weren’t for these people then I would be at risk of turning into a hermit. I am thankful that they have put up with my panics and imaginings, reassuring me that it is okay for me to work through this period of my life in whatever way I need.

And then there are the friends who have surprised me with the efforts they have made to help me out. I find it hard to ask for anything, I much prefer to give. These people have stepped in with practical help for specific problems without expecting anything in return. I am immeasurably grateful for their efforts on my behalf. I am thankful that we can be friends.

Although I am aware that many people feel uncomfortable with on line, social media, I have found it of great value in recent times. It has enabled me to, not just keep up some contact with those I know but do not often see; but also to reach out, share and learn from those who I would not otherwise have any contact with. It has enabled me to keep in touch with many I may not know well but would like to know better. I am thankful for these more distant friendships too.

I feel privileged to live amongst so many interesting people with their disparate lifestyles and views. I feel privileged that many count me amongst their friends.

The evening meal that I will prepare for my family later today will consist of our normal, midweek fare. My husband will come home after his long day at work, my children will have homework to deal with. Although on this side of the pond we will not be celebrating anything special, I will still give thanks.

My life is good because of the people I share it with.