Be thankful
that’s as close to an Elvis impression as I can manage and you don’t have to
listen to me sing. Trust me, you do not want that.
The other day, a
post by the very talented Liz Crowe reminded me of something that I’m afraid
I’ve been taking for granted. The romance community, authors and readers alike
are a very supportive bunch. We celebrate each others successes and
commiserate when life hands us lemons and we can’t quite manage the process of
making lemonade by ourselves.
I can’t remember
how many times I’ve needed a smile or a word of encouragement and found it
here. The ‘pay it forward’ vibe is alive and well and as an author, friend and
fellow traveler I just want to say, thank you all for being—you.
I always get a
little nostalgic in November. Thanksgiving was always a big deal at our house.
As kids we’d make decorations in school and no matter what they looked like, my
mom would tack them up and tell us how wonderful they were. That was the best
part. She made us feel as if we were an important part of the celebration. She
also helped me learn that coloring outside the lines wasn’t always a bad thing.
My parents are
in their eighties now and thankfully, still with us and still exclaiming over
their great-grand-children’s artwork. My mom’s refrigerator is always decorated with
proudly signed pictures of lopsided houses, stick people and purple horses. I’m
looking forward to this year’s display of construction paper turkeys and stick
figure pilgrims.
I’m also looking
forward to the season and the food and visiting with family I only see a couple
of times a year. Sometimes we get busy in our everyday lives and get bogged
down with the business of living but holiday celebrations are all about taking
the time to share the memories that have gotten us to where we are today.
The leaves are
turning and there’s a nip in the air; a sure sign that the holidays are just around the corner.
I know that I’ll reach a point where if I hear one more Christmas carol on the
radio I’ll be tempted to roll down my car window and turn up a totally
inappropriate song—and if I’m really feeling snarky—sing along.
How about you? Any memories or traditions you'd like to share--because I know you are a sharing bunch:)
Happy
Thanksgiving, everyone!
Paris Brandon
15 comments:
Paris, you are right about this community being a caring group of people.
The holidays are always special, and they bring back wonderful memories of past days.
Yes, they are! Happy Thanksgiving:)
I agree! Nice post Paris. In my house one person must find a thoughtful passage in a book to share - it could be a poem, it might be a myth, anything, as long as it fits the spirit of the day. At first it was just my husband and I doing this, now our grown kids offer something. It's a lovely tradition..not that I need another reason to be thankful for the three of them. But I am.
Rose,
Thank you:) What a lovely tradition. Glad to see it's continuing with the next generation!
I grew up in a really dysfunctional household. Parents always screaming at each other. Dr. Phil time, you know?
Holidays were the worst. Trapped in the house, couldn't go to school, they weren't going to leave for work. God, it was awful.
One Thanksgiving, my BFF showed up out of the blue. She didn't know what was going on in my house (everything was a BIG secret - neighbors weren't supposed to know we weren't the sappy/happy family). But she wanted to be with me so we could play. She'd already eaten at her house (only I knew that) and my mother invited her to eat with us. She did. Don't know how she packed it all in. She was a skinny little thing.
Because she was there, my parents couldn't scream at each other. They had to act like normal human beings. It was nice. One of the best memories I have of being a kid.
Tina,
What would we do without BFF's? It sounds like you had a really wonderful friend and I can see why you cherish the memory. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving, sweetie:)
The romance community IS very supportive...there are some "bad apples" in the bunch, but they're uncovered quickly and avoided.
Thanksgiving (and other holidays) are spent with family and friends. I love watching the Thanksgiving Day parade every year while cooking a turkey...or two!
We end up celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas when my kids can get here. Families are spread all over, so a holiday can be moved...it's just important that we're together.
Marianne,
Sounds like you have some great traditions. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday and enjoy your family!
Nice post, Paris! Sounds like you have some great traditions. DH and I always host thanksgiving and before we eat, we go around the table and name one thing we have been thankful for over the past year. I really love that tradition. :)
Suzanne,
Thank you! That sounds a lovely tradition. Happy Thanksgiving:)
What an inspiring post, Paris. Yes, romance authors are usually very supportive of each other. The only Thanksgiving traditions that come to mind was when I was growing up and we'd have Thanksgiving at home or at my grandmothers. We always had a pasta dish along with the traditional foods. That's what Italian families did. Then after I was married, we had Thanksgiving with my in-laws. My MIL was also Italian so we had pasta with the turkey. I go to my brother's now for Thanksgiving and he doesn't continue the tradition of pasta. I miss that.
We are a home without specific traditions. There was no Thanksgiving celebrated in my childhood home. Our young son was a Thanksgiving baby so it is always an extra special week around here and I've come to love this holiday. My husband doesn't enjoy turkey so in the past few years we set up a buffet in the kitchen where everyone helps themselves.
Cara,
We generally have a few traditional Polish/Croatian and/or Italian dishes at all holidays including Thanksgiving. I love pasta at Christmas, but then I love pasta, anytime:) Happy Thanksgiving!
Gemma,
I count the buffet as a tradition in our house:) My husband comes from a very large family and holidays are usually buffet style when I serve them. Happy birthday to your Thanksgiving baby and enjoy the holidays!
My dad gave away his dining room furniture after my mother passed away. He decided that he didn't want to host Thanksgiving and he didn't want any of us to do it either! So each Thanksgiving, we go out to eat. There's a fun inside joke among us about the whole thing. Dad always rushes to eat and then will leave if we aren't done. I love him but since he's the host, we do what he wants!
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