What does Thanksgiving mean to you?
 

Well, despite TFP being an international community I think it's fair to say that we have a preponderance of American members. We also know that the holiday is just around the corner.

For me personally, it means nothing. As a uniquely American holiday we don't celebrate this "New World" festival in Ireland or Australia. Christmas is our gig...

But I know it's a major holiday in the US. And, if cheezy TV shows are to be believed, it's generally a popular one.

So... what does Thanksgiving mean to you?

Share the good, the bad and the ugly...


Mr Mephisto

It means that I get to be with my family and...


I have no idea. Food I guess.

Family, friends, extended family, all getting together for a good meal. A chance to pause and visit together, no one is working, rushing off to work, or getting there late from work. (Well there are exceptions, but then there always are.) Very little commercialism, no gifts to get or cards to send. And yes it is a truly American holiday.

It's all about family.

Yep, as others have said food and family. And the food....wow, I can't wait. Thanksgiving is when my mother and aunt bring out their delicious secret recipes.

it means a garunteed day off. with better food then normal.

Well, I'm gonna get cheesey. One of my favorite writers, who wrote a book about the paradox of progress,(basically that we still complain the same amount no matter how great life is) stated much better than I can: I think that's pretty good. We no longer have to be thankful for making it through another harvest season without starving. You know, We all have problems, but when God was handing souls out to uteruses around the planet (or however you view it) I got pretty damn lucky.

Not only was I born in a time when people worry about how much money they can make instead of worrying about a tiger eating them, or another tribe conquering them, or being a slave; I was born in the United States. The world's most technologically advanced, most free, and most secure place man has ever lived. It's a singularly unique and exceptional place to live, despite it's problems that we bitch about. For just one day, put aside your worries about what John Ashcroft or John Kerry would do to the country, and think about it. No country is going to conquer us. Terrorism, or crime, while a threat, is not really altering my life, and there are people working hard to keep us safe. There have been people over 200 years in this country alone that have worked to make life better for people like me, and they succeeded.

Not only was I born in a great time and in a great place, but I was born to parents that loved and cared for me. Everyone has trouble along the way growing up and learning to fly out of the nest, but think about how there are people that were not blessed with what you enjoy and take for granted.

I'm not just thankful for the circumstances of and before my birth though. I'm thankful for the guidance I got along the way to get me to where I am today. My life right now, i have to say, is pretty good, all things considered. Thanksgiving is not about being thankful for where you made it to in life though, thanksgiving is about being grateful for all the things that helped you get there.

The Pilgrims would not have survived the winter without the Indians showing them how to do it, just as you and I would not have gotten to the place we are now had it not been for God's help, our Parent's help, the country we live in, our friends, teachers, counselors, and many other people and things for which we should be thankful.

Family, watching drunken fools, too much bad food ( one of these days, my mother will realize she can't cook), screaming neices and nephews, drunken fools, arguments.

Oh and the start to christmas shopping... something I like even less than thanksgiving dinner

Doesn't mean anything to me...

Thanksgiving came about after the first utter failure of socialism in the United States. A lesson we should renforce every year.

Its also a good excuse for family to get together, all the more important these days with so many families spread out all over the country.

I like dy156's reply better than yours Ustwo; at least the pointless political comment.

:)

Mr Mephisto

Nothing pointless about it, its was a failed attempt at socialism which left the colony in dire straights and required assistance from the natives to survive. After they went to a capitalistic system they prospered.

Eating a kick-azz turkey dinner with all the works.
Also, means i will be eating turkey for the next 3 days.Watching football,eating snacks,drinking,the start of putting up xmas lights,making out your xmas list, the only time of the year i say grace at dinner,only time of the year i sit down with the family at once and eat, day off of work,and mostly i just reflect how happy i am for everything i have. Happy Turkey Day!

Read about this a few months ago and it sounded awesome:

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark/turkeys.html

The link discusses the idea of "heritage turkeys", near-extinct traditional breeds raised free range on local farms.

It means disgruntled in-laws who never get to visit <i>their</i> families because they live too far away, sitting there pretending to like their spouse's family, and making all of us extremely uncomfortable. And food.

Especially in-laws from Chihuahua, Chihuahua. They're the worst.

Absolutly nothing. It's a regular work day here.

Four words: turkey, apple pie, and family.

Ah, I guess Rush Limbaugh must have done his obligatory Thanksgiving rant Wednesday afternoon.

Wasn't there a line in "Team America, World Police" about hearing a celebrity say something and then running around repeating it as if it were your own thoughts?

Thanksgiving is, to me, a chance to be thankful for what I have. It gives me a chance to reflect on what I have earned and what has been given to me, and the differences between them. And, most importantly, it gives me a chance to gather to my table my friends and family and celebrate the life and times we share.

So, in short, a load of sentimental crap and an excuse to party. But it's sentimental crap I enjoy, and I like throwing parties.

My sister-in-law's brother-in-law used to bring in 7lbs of shrimp. (the big ones) and her husband used to make up this great coctail sauce with extra horseradish....mmmmmmmmmmm yummy. I loved it better than the turkey and apple pie. But all good things come to an end. She got divorced and now it's just regular turkey day.:(