I remember when my mother was in
her "all hands on deck" mode the day before Thanksgiving. I can still
see my dad sharpening that big knife in the kitchen. It was understood
that he got the neck, the giblets and all the parts no one else wanted.
I was the one who had to run down to Stop and Shop in Davis Square on
Wednesday for last minute items. And every year there is that 11th hour
Thanksgiving Day frantic trip to a Store 24 for something – usually
more butter. You look at the other customers who are there and agree
that you all should be at home instead of at a convenience store. I am
thankful that I overbuy and stockpile cranberry sauce, butter – and
Lipitor.

On Thanksgiving I think back to when we were at the
kiddie table. A time when our parents, grandparents and all of our
aunts and uncles were still alive – and we didn't have a care in the
world. Losing a cousin at an early age was unheard of – ours was an
invincible family. We never ever thought that there would be a time
that some of them would not be with us. Now, as we get older there are
less of them still here, so we use our memories to bring us back to
those happy times – not that these times aren't good, because they
certainly are.

I for one always try to be thankful that we have
reasonably good health and the kids are all happy and thriving. What
works for me is the phrase: "it could always be worse…" I feel lucky
and grateful for my family and friends – both of them!

Thanksgiving
means that it's almost time to get serious about Christmas shopping and
more endless lines. Every year I tell myself that it's no use to panic
because it always turns out fine. We are conditioned to go into the
frantic Christmas mode the day after Thanksgiving – just think of all
the Christmases we have survived – why should this one be any
different? We will survive. Stay home on Friday and have a turkey
sandwich. Thanksgiving means football (go Highlanders!) and settling in
after dinner to watch endless college and NFL games. If we are lucky we
will get one of those balmy Thanksgiving days where the temperatures
are in the 50's.

It's funny how the things I am thankful for now
are different than the things I was thankful for 25 years ago. I used
to be thankful that I had enough beers left for the next day – today I
hope we don't run out of milk and juice boxes. I used to be thankful
Kay and Chips stayed open until the wee hours of the morning serving
breakfast – today I am thankful if I stay awake for a TV show that's on
at 8pm. I used to be thankful for days off from school – now I am
hoping they approve the extended school day.

I remember being
thankful that I completed a 2-mile jog – I thank heaven today if I can
go up the stairs to my bedroom without getting winded. I remember being
thankful for my Camaro Z28 convertible – today I am thankful to rest on
my Castro convertible sofa. I used to check out chicks, now I check out
library books (ok, and chicks while at the library). I used to thank
God for my long rock n' roll hair – today I am thankful if the drain
doesn't clog up with hair after I shower. I used to be thankful that I
was thin and I had big hair – now my stomach is big and my hair is
thin. I remember I thanked the Lord when my daughter graduated from
College – I later thanked God, Allah and Buddha when she decided to
take that hideous nose ring out and let the hole close.

Here are
some more things I am thankful for today: my pillows, my bed, my remote
controls and my dog. I am thankful for my big TV, sports on TV, The
Three Stooges, Seinfeld, The Honeymooners, birthday cakes, my camper in
NH and pizza to name a few more. I used to yell out "yippie" when I'd
come home and discover my parents had left for the cape for the weekend
– today I'd give anything to spend an hour with them. Wouldn't I love
seeing mom scurrying about the kitchen and dad snoring in front of the
TV. This year we will be making more memories that we can use at a
later date.

So, stock up on butter, cranberry sauce and don't
forget the pies – be sure to appreciate the aunts, uncles, cousins,
grandparents and parents you still have in your life. I am truly
thankful for all the blessings I have. And dad, we'll be saving the
neck, heart, giblets and all your other favorite parts for you.