It is hard to believe but the holiday season is upon us once again. It may sound like a cliché, but time really does seem to go by faster the older we get. I used to think my parents were crazy when they would say things like “Just wait until you get to be our age … you’ll see.” They were right.
It seemed not that long ago that we were celebrating the birth of our nation with the Fourth of July festivities, and now, here we are about to embark on end of the year events.
Thanksgiving has long been one of my favorite holidays because it combines two things I enjoy immensely — eating and football. What’s not to like about that? Gathering with family and friends for a bountiful meal of turkey with all the fixings, followed by an afternoon of football on a wide screen television. It’s almost the perfect day.
We typically have our meal in the mid-afternoon. The premise is that by having a meal at 2 p.m. that large meal will hold us over until morning. But what usually happens is plenty of snacking before the meal, preferably on shrimp rings or taco dip and salsa while watching the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
Later in the evening, a return to the snacking ensues, usually after the turkey nap has worn off. Who doesn’t like hot (or cold) turkey sandwiches?
For years, when we lived in Thomaston, Thanksgiving was held at our house, with either set of parents coming down to the coast to spend the day with us. That was a pretty good setup. It was during this time that I came up with the “My House, My Rule” manifesto. Basically it was an opportunity to do things however I (or my wife) wanted. If she wanted to cook some sort of different dish, so be it. If I wanted to spend the day sitting in front of the television watching the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys in back-to-back games, that’s my prerogative.
And if I felt like having a “grown-up” beverage at 10 a.m., while preparing the dishes … “My House, My Rule.” Plus if visiting family didn’t like what we were having (or it came out horrible, which did happen from time to time) they could always enjoy a trip to one of the many restaurants in the area.
Once children came into the picture, things became more child-oriented as board games, puzzles and the like took higher precedent. Thanksgiving weekend also became the time to bring out all of the Christmas decorations, but since the holiday is a week later this year, we jumped the gun and did it this past weekend.
This year, more than ever, I am thankful for my family. It is far too easy to take family for granted and put off visits or gatherings. Time is precious and we should enjoy every moment because you never know when a curveball may come.
I am grateful to have good friends who are there for support when needed. I am also appreciative to have God in my life and the lives of our children, with a special thanks to pastors Wayne, Dave and Mel for their support through prayer during a difficult time.
And finally, I am thankful that I have a loving wife who puts up with all the things that I do that annoy her (like writing about our lives for everyone to read about). I am grateful for two happy and healthy children who brighten my day with just a smile or a hug.
I also asked members of the Houlton Pioneer Times staff to share some of the things they are thankful for this holiday season. Here are their responses:
Steve Cowett — “I am most thankful to be blessed by such a wonderful wife and daughter. We are an old-fashioned type family and we really enjoy our family time together. It is always interesting for our family around the holiday season to prepare meals because we are all vegan. But after researching a lot of books and online recipes, my girls prepare wonderful meals and holiday treats! We also enjoy putting up the Christmas tree! This also leads into the next thing I am thankful for and that is that we are all healthy!
“Happy Holidays from the Cowett Family!”
Dave Bates — “I am thankful for our town of Houlton, and for all that make this area such a great place to work and live. For those who have invested and believed in Houlton over the years I am truly grateful! Most of all I am thankful for the love of my family and our great God for His continued blessing on our community.”
Wanda MacIlroy — “When Joe asked me to write what I was thankful for at Thanksgiving, so many things came to mind — too many to list actually. But if I had to put a few on paper, here they are. I am thankful for my God, who is so gracious to me. I am thankful for my family and their continued good health. Finally, I am thankful for my job and co-workers.”
Gloria Austin — “At Thanksgiving, I am always grateful for my faith, family and heritage — my quest and past — intertwined in one.”
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you from all of us at the Houlton Pioneer Times.
