Steve Huppert
Columnist
hupps440@aol.com
I have always liked Thanksgiving; as a student, teacher, and now as an old man. The best thing about it is four days off, Thursday through Sunday. Four days with few responsibilities. Now that is what I call a vacation.
Now, for me the big thing about Thanksgiving is eating and watching football games. Did you notice I did not say anything about cooking and preparing probably the biggest meal of the year? I have always been very fortunate that I have never been a part of the cooking tradition of Thanksgiving. I guess I have been lucky that the eating and watching part has been the extent of my involvement in Thanksgiving.
I am not trying to say that I don’t appreciate the people who spend hours and even days preparing for the big feast and I have always had bad thoughts about individuals who sit there stuffing their face and not doing anything to make the day pleasant for everyone.
I remember going over to my wife’s house (Janice) for Thanksgivings; her mother would be working on preparing the meal from the time we enter the house until we sat down to eat (three or four hours). Some of the other women would help to a degree, but she was the main person.
The sad part was she was the last person to eat. Many times the rest of us had finished eating and were ready to leave when she sat down. I used to think how lucky she was to have us around; it gave her something to do. Unfortunately, that is the way I think.
Janice’s mom passed away this September. I often think about what she did to make life better for all of us. Janice passed away several years ago. Now I don’t have anyone to make life special for me at Thanksgiving.
I just hope individuals reading this will show a little more appreciation and support than I did.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Note: For Thanksgiving this year you can look for me at Cracker Barrel, they are having a special for people like me.
