If you live in the States, tomorrow is “Turkey Day”
But my kids and I eat sushi.
I have written about this before. Changes in tradition being a good thing. For the past seven Thanksgivings we decided to not do all the”stuff” anymore for the holidays and instead have built blanket forts and watched Seinfield and ate sushi. It has been some of the best memories of Thanksgiving that I have ever had.
And then I run into crazy-eyed people asking me if I am “ready for the holidays” (whatever that means) and if I am cooking, hosting, cleaning, traveling, wrapping, shopping, planning, decorating, (don’t forget to work out so you dont get fat!) ….etc etc… I always reply no. To all of it. I don’t want to do any of it anymore.
And I like it that way.
Simple is best. And outside the box is good too. I have gotten too old (wise?) to fuss anymore. And to feel like I have to follow what anyone else is doing. (this has helped so much with my work too) Especially for the holidays. And you know what? My “holidays” are all so much better now. Maybe it was my near-death experience. Maybe it was getting to a point where I was so tired that didn’t even know how exhausted I was trying to please everyone around me. Maybe it was realizing that the holidays had become not enjoyable anymore. Too much to do! (well, no, we dont have to do anything. We do that to ourselves) But whatever shifted in my brain a few years ago, a “holiday” is now every day of my life. Each day is fun. Happy. Enjoyable. Each day has meaning to me. Each day I laugh at myself and do what I love to do. Each encounter with those in my tribe is a joy. And those outside my walls are not my concern anymore. So every day is a holiday. I am living life as a vacation. No presents or cranberry sauce required. Every day is a Sunday.
I recently had a conversation with a new friend who shared with me that she had lost her home completely in a mudslide in California. And how she looks back on it now as the best thing to ever happen to her. We had a lot in common and found wonder in our gratitude.
So I wake up so very grateful each day. I found that it is so true that the cost of a new life… is your old one. And I have found it also to be true that to lose everything is to gain everything. And it has been absolutely wonderful. While I don’t recommend losing everything, please don’t fear it either.
So tomorrow will find me grateful. Like every day. And if my tree is not decorated for a while yet and my dish towels are not folded and my son and I are eating sushi on the couch, then guess what? I am having the best holiday ever.
Hope you do too.
Me too!
Love it. I married in 1968. That’s 57 years. Every Thanksgiving since then has been a table full. Turkey and all the trimmings. Even now with just the two of us again. Same. I sound like I mind but I truly don’t. If it makes him happy so be it. But I am tired. At 79, I’m ready for snacks instead of two days of cooking. There is always the chance that one of the boys will drag their family in at the last minute. If so, there will be plenty to go around. I don’t think Rudy would be happy if I stopped. LOL! At his age, I don’t want to disappoint him. I know, it’s my own fault. I could stop it, but I won’t. And that’s my choice. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. You and your son eating that sushi, sitting on the couch. Sounds like a very good time to me. Perhaps not the sushi, but the fact that you and your son eating together. Wonderful!
I think it’s great that you and your family find your own way to celebrate the occasion. For me it’s the traditional route of turkey and dressing with all the family gathered together. We laugh and drink and feast on being together and honoring those who are no longer with us. It’s no burden and I feel no stress. I love being in the kitchen and creating special dishes for all to enjoy. My favorite three places – in my garden, at my easel or in my kitchen. Everyone should do what ever brings them joy.
Gratitude not attitude….
Joy, Peace , Health!!!
I’m so glad you’ve found your way to have happy holidays! I’ve shifted away from the traditions of crazed holidays, too. It always felt wrong to me to be so stressed during holidays! We don’t do the tree, or the presents, we only do what’s fun. We do Dim Sum on Christmas day. I’ve retired recently, and have enjoyed taking that attitude into all aspects of my life! If it brings me joy, I’ll do it. If not, it’s got to have a much better reason than other’s expectations. Happy Holidays to you, however you wish to enjoy it!
Amen
So well said, Christine! I think many of us feel that way…and aren’t we lucky!!