giddy about thanksgiving

thanksgiving is absolutly my favorite holiday. and its definitely because its all about food. there's not pseudo-religious connection, no feeling uncomfortable about whether or not friends or colleauges will be celebrating as well. Its the ultimate in patriotism and family togetherness. a holiday that demands we be thankful and reflective upon what we are lucky enough to have? genius. pure american genius. sure canada and other nations (i think) have thanksgivings (canada's is on columbus day which is a monday which just seems weird) but i think ours is the best! and someone was smart enough to even put the holiday on a THURSDAY, ensuring a relaxing, short work week for all and a pretty much guaranteed four day weekend. sucks for you if you have to work friday.

and honestly, how often do you get to just gorge yourself for no good reason other than you can?? i love it. i love it. i love it. i just wish i didn't have to travel up to boston thursday. it would be so nice to stay at our house for thanksgiving and have family come to us for once.

thanksgiving also makes me think how lucky i am to have family. i'm sure thursday will include screaming (mostly because that's the level that my dad and grandparents communicate at normally) but what would family be without a little dysfunction? i'm thankful that even at the ripe old age of 81 grandma is still kicking, and now, finally, knows how old she is and is proud to admit it. (there was a big stretch of time there when she was so used to lying about her age that she forgot what year she was really born in) when they're not in the same building as me, i really miss my grandparents and wish i got more time to spend with them. but after a couple of hours of their high volume banter and force feeding (yes i like eating but really even i have my limits) my little one bedroom looks very inviting. ah well, thanksgiving only comes once a year for many many reasons.

i also love thanksgiving because its the start of the holiday season. i like the holiday SEASON a lot more than the actual holidays. christmas is anticlimactic, new years never lives up to the hype, and then my birthday is always the biggest let down of the season and a wondeful reminder that i continue to age. but the days leading up to christmas are full of anticipatio and preparation. the christmas lights everywhere make everything so bright and sparkly and festive. there are holiday office parties which only come during this time of year. and there are christmas trees and all the fun that comes with decorating them...which you only get to do during the month of december! did anyone ever consider try to stretch this fun out over many months? i think life would be so much more enjoyable if every month was as festive and fun as december.