Thanksgiving Day. The posting on Grandma’s front door read, “NO POLITICS. I MEAN IT!” Cousin Annette arrived with Celia (Sid) whom the family stoutly refers to as “her best friend” resolutely continuing “and we all just love her.” Both were dressed in pantsuits a la you-know-who and wearing huge safety pins which they explained meant safety for all. Opposite, naturally, sat cousin Henry and wife both wearing large pins shaped like trumpets. Mindful of the posted edict, they slyly and constantly referenced their love of trumpet music. He went so far as to innocently request a portion of the trumpstick and to loudly joke Sid had trumped his place in line for the toilet. She responded by deliberately leaving the seat up to make him wonder.
Grandma kept a steely eye on everyone and no one actually said anything overt, but the tension was electric. The table divided into two camps with all conversing with excruciating politeness and toothy smiles. The feast began with a non-political, non-religious, non-ethnic, non-sexual, non-really-a-prayer grace which elicited various responses: amen, so be it, right on, one can hope and a snort.
Not the most congenial family gathering, but no blood was shed. There was many a lull as brains were wracked for a topic, any friggin topic, other than the elephant. The women of course retired to the kitchen to clean up and the guys, and Sid, went to watch football. The constant switching of channels was terminated when Sid took charge and firmly announced the chosen game. Air kisses and hugs at the departure with Annette getting in the last punch with a farewell, “Thanks for a Hillaryious time.”
Holiday suggestion
The calendar tells me the Christmas-Kwanza-Hanukkah-Solstice season approaches. While there is time, I have a suggestion for my readers of any age. For seniors it is no secret that our list of friends is getting shorter year by year while for the young ones it is getting longer.
As time passes both groups must realize how important it is to keep friendships and reminiscences alive at least once a year. Due to life’s diverging paths the actual time together with many dear ones has invariably diminished, but the memories are forever entwined with our mutual milestones. Communication from local and far-away friends becomes more important and more happily received. For many of us, email communication has taken over our correspondence and our dependence on it continues to grow. I am not complaining, not even about the singing and dancing variety. Many are sincere, cute, lovely, etc. and I give thanks for them. My heart expands, however, when I receive an honest-to-goodness card with a personal salutation and message.
My joy also encompasses the oft-maligned “Dear Friends” letter; after all, it ends with a real signature and sometimes a note, the longer the better. Viewing the colorful array around my living room brightens my day and reminds me of long ago events and companions. True, the cost of the fancier selections is going up (I buy gorgeous ones the end of December for next year) and it takes time to write addresses and add heartfelt seasonal comments, but doing a few at a time will have them soon done. Give it a try. Remember, the earlier you send them out, the earlier you will guilt the receivers into sending you one back.
