SENIOR MOMENT

By BETTY MUNSEY/Columnist

Thanksgiving is but a few days past and we still feel as stuffed as the old bird that graced the dining room table. Quality leftovers have either been consumed or frozen for Christmas or some cook-free future date. Turkey and pumpkin decorations have probably been returned to their 11-month storage container so as to make way for Christmas ornaments. The countdown of days remaining before Christmas has begun in earnest. It seems that Thanksgiving has quickly become a skipping stone wedged between Halloween and Christmas with only miniscule mention reserved for one of our nation’s most revered traditions.
Searching for Thanksgiving paper products a week before the holiday proved futile. The store’s limited stock had been sold out weeks before, according to the sales associate, and no new orders were expected. A tiny lower section of the multi-aisle card rack displayed a limited number of Thanksgiving cards and over half of those cards featured a bloated turkey caricature. A word of thanks to the local fertilizer company that sends annual holiday greetings to its faithful customers in the form of beautiful Thanksgiving cards with tasteful words of thanks to both its customers and its God.
I admit to gritting my teeth when a local weather forecaster glibly announced his weather predictions for “turkey day.” Please forgive me if I sound a little like an old fuddy-duddy, but we celebrate Thanksgiving, not just turkeys.  As the Pilgrims gathered around the table for their first Thanksgiving, I’m sure they were most grateful for any food set before them.  After existing for several seasons on handfuls of corn, a plump roasted turkey would have been a godsend. I’m equally sure that the American Turkey Federation, the Butterball Turkey Co. with its hotline answering service, and even the Wild Turkey Federation appreciate Thanksgiving and is subsequent free publicity.  The true meaning of Thanksgiving involves so much more than a fine feathered fowl.
Thanksgiving is one of the few times each year when families come together with multiple generations represented around the table.  Family differences seem to magically disappear if only for a few minutes to perhaps reappear after the pies are served. Even the strictest calorie counters seem to take the day off as plates are filled with such no-no foods as dressing, gravy and rich creamy pies, which when consumed may total 5,000 calories or more. It’s a day when we are reminded that others aren’t so fortunate and often donate both time and talents to worthwhile causes that help the needy.  Over 3,200 runners filled the streets in downtown Roanoke on Thanksgiving morning for the second Drumstick Dash 5K Run in support of the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
Regardless of our individual differences associated with religion, race, national background, and even age, we are reminded by the day’s title to be cognizant of the blessings of living in America. It’s sad that it takes a special day to remind us to be grateful and that giving thanks on Thanksgiving becomes secondary to watching parades and football games, decorating the Christmas tree, or planning our routes through stores on Black Friday.
A retired Extension agent, Betty Munsey lives and farms in Bland County.