It’s not really about the turkey

Last week I was on a conference call with a peer in Canada. She asked me what the American obsession with eating turkey was all about. We both got a good laugh out of the question. It got me thinking though, I love, love, love Thanksgiving, though I am not a fan of what was done to the Indigenous peoples by the European immigrants, I am not religious, and I do not spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about what I should be grateful for, at least no more than any other day. My husband and I do not have large gatherings, we do not make copious amounts of food, nor do we watch football…So what is it about this holiday?

Honestly, it’s the low set of expectations. Four days every year that are completely free from society pressure. No gift giving, no corporate parties, no vacation type expenses. Four days to read, walk, watch movies, sleep in, go to bed early, go to bed late, work out, don’t work out. If these four days are what retirement is like, color me ready now.

However you celebrate this holiday, I wish you relaxation and good health. This year I think we need low expectation holidays maybe more than we ever have. As for me and mine, we are going to do as little as possible as long as possible, at least until Monday. Stay safe, be kind, enjoy the time.