Tag: Thanksgiving

A Boomer’s Thanksgiving 2021.

11/25/2021 / Laura

It’s here.

That moment around the Thanksgiving table filled with wondrous high-caloric temptations and goodies when some young relative innocently raises his or her said and utters the dreaded sentence:

“Let’s go around the table and all say what we’re thankful for.”

Uh oh.

By this point, you’ve either been in the kitchen since 4 a.m. and you’re mainly thankful for sitting down, or you’re already in a sugar-induced trance and you’re thankful for sitting down, or you’re trying very hard to keep from slapping someone and you’re thankful for sitting down.

But now the gauntlet has been thrown down. You must appear to be somewhat intelligent. Generous. Considerate of those around you. (Even though you’re convinced a few of them voted badly in the last election and maybe a few owe you money.)

Oh my, where is this tacky inner voice coming from?

Of course you’re thankful for good health. For the ability to see, walk and hear. For friends and family. For the food on the table, the roof over your head and the clothes you wear. You’re truly grateful for it all, and you lift a sincere prayer for those who are not so fortunate.

And these days, there are far, far, far too many of those.

But just for a moment, take a look at the lighter side of gratitude. The little things that maybe no one says out loud but several are thinking. The little things that can make or break a day.

For instance, as a boomer, you might say you are grateful for:

Elastic.

Naps.

Senior discounts.

Elevators.

Cheese dip.

No short-term memory (sometimes, it’s handy.)

More elastic.

The mute button.

Someone else bagging the leaves.

Indoor plumbing.

Chinese take-out.

Remotes.

Your favorite sweatshirt. Socks. Cap.

Watching the original “Bishop’s Wife” every holiday and feeling like Cary Grant and Loretta Young are right next to you.

A warm cat on your lap.

A warm dog lying across your feet.

Fat pants.

Not answering the phone after 8 p.m.

“Arthritis” caps on Alleve.

Eyeglasses. Several pairs of eyeglasses.

Knowing where these eyeglasses are.

Phoning an old friend and enjoying a happy hour over the phone.

Knowing your turkey and dressing turned out wonderfully because you’ve been making it longer than just about anyone else in the room.

Booster vaccinations.

Taking real joy in watching others and really understanding how precious life is.

See above.

And did I mention elastic?

As we get older, let’s embrace what we’ve earned…the right to sit back, breathe and enjoy it all…and focus on what really matters: time to be grateful. Time to relish in the small joys of life. And maybe a little extra time on the couch!

“I am grateful for what I am and what I have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”

Henry David Thoreau

Grateful is good.

11/20/2018 / Laura

Gratitude is a complicated topic. You hear a lot about it. You know it’s a good idea. And on those sunny, halycon days, it’s easy to practice.

But then life happens.

A friend becomes terminally ill. The boss walks in and says the company is downsizing. The warning light on the car keeps coming on and no amount of black tape will make it go away. Or, maybe you just start wondering what happened to the last 30 years?

It’s part of getting older. Looking back, and giving up on the idea you had the perfect childhood. Looking around, and not seeing that cute, supportive spouse bringing you your slippers and 2.5 smiling children calling every weekend to see how you are. Looking forward, and wondering if there are any more real adventures ahead besides daring to walk to the refrigerator without your custom-made orthotics.

When I was a kid, singer Peggy Lee had a hit song I absolutely detested called “Is that all there is?”….I hated it. I still don’t enjoy hearing it, but I understand better what she was trying to say. When we keep waiting for our lives to “start”, we miss out on the fact they already have. Every day really is an opportunity to help another person, to learn something new, to try and find a moment of solace in the madness. And gratitude really does make that easier.

Now here comes the holiday that’s as loaded as an overstuffed suitcase. Thanksgiving. Raise your hand if yours has ever resembled the Norman Rockwell painting. Congratulations, you may go. For the rest of us, it’s probably been something else. Watch the Hallmark movies. Then remember when Uncle Fred announced he was leaving Aunt Jean over the stuffing. Watch the football games. Then try to forget when the dog pulled the turkey off the table and little Brad fell on the driveway and at least three arguments broke out at the same time. Watch the tear-jerking commercials of reunions and marriage proposals and then remember you’ll probably be seated at dinner next to the one family member who secretly resents you and is just one glass of wine away from telling you.

Like Chris Rock said in a standup routine, “It ain’t Christmas unless somebody’s crying.” But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, let’s stay in Thanksgiving for a bit.

So what is Thanksgiving? Or, what can be to each of us? Amazon wants us to spend it shopping online. Facebook wants us to watch cat videos. And all those Norman Rockwell types want us to help re-create that photograph that never actually happened.

As a baby boomer, you’ve seen it all. You might be thinking a turkey sandwich and Cary Grant movie might be all you need. If that’s your choice, go for it. But maybe there’s another way to look at it. Go inside. Really inside. What are you truly thankful for?

Your best friend after all these years?

Your sense of humor?

Your patience with your grandchildren?

Your health after that bad scare last year?

The way the sun lights up the leaves in a brilliant show of color?

Take those thoughts and let gratitude wash over you.

And if you find yourself in a clamorous, angry, exhausting setting, let yourself go inside again. Be grateful you can do that. If you are pressed at the table to list what you are grateful for, here’s list to get you started:

Boomers’ Gratitude List:

Elastic

Naps

Wisdom

Discounts

Old movies

Giggling grandchildren

Faithful dogs

Cuddly cats

Sweet spouses

Newfound freedom

Elastic (worth mentioning twice)

Pie

Cool evenings

Health, in whatever form it is

Life

We’ve made it this far…and we are grateful! Happy Thanksgiving and keep rockin’ it!

“I am grateful for what I am and what I have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”

Henry David Thoreau

How to Talk Over Turkey.

11/09/2015 / Laura

Hard to believe Thanksgiving is almost here. Getting together with the family over the holidays can be an interesting experience. It can be great fun catching up on the latest news, seeing the photos of boyfriends, high school plays, and meeting the new pet.

But sometimes knowing what to say to someone you never are around isn’t the easiest thing.

You know this is a great opportunity to bond. Share your wisdom as a boomer and beyond. Be inspired by some of the younger spirit.

But what do you talk about? Will your younger relatives be interested in anything you have to say?

One group has come up with a way to start a conversation—and a unique one at that. It’s called “Family, Let’s Talk! Starting Conversations Across Generations.” It comes in a small box filled with cards. A different question on is on each card. Members of your group take turns asking a question.

A sample of some of the questions:

If i was 20 years older, I’d ______________________________

If I died tomorrow, I’d most regret _______________________

The most thrilling sports event I witnessed was _____________

My favorite holiday memory is ___________________________

Granted, some questions are tougher than others. But what an interesting way to break the ice between generations, and maybe help one another gain a new appreciation for family history.

Imagine the pioneers, sitting in a dark and drafty cabin for months in the winter, with nothing to do but maybe knit, whittle, or rock back and forth. Granted, they were probably so exhausted by 6 p.m. they preferred to just go to sleep. But would guess these were the times when fathers talked to their sons. Mothers read to their daughters. by candlelight.

No television.

No phones.

Egad….no Facebook.

Just each other. And a very strong bond.

Of course most of us don’t want to go back to those days (though some still choose to live that simply), but I think many would agree there’s a loss of connection between the generations. Back then, families usually lived in one house, or very close by. These days, we’re spread all over the place.

It’s hard. Even with a cell phone growing out of our hand.

So maybe this Thanksgiving, after the feeding frenzy subsides, the football is becoming boring, and there’s still some time left together, you might pull out “Family, Let’s Talk” and see what happens.