Sandwiched between Monster Mash and Santa Baby, is the Forgotten Holiday. Thanksgiving is cursed by having no fun songs or fancy decorations to welcome it.
With the Christmas season starting earlier and earlier each year (I heard my first Chrstimas music on Halloween), Thanksgiving is routinely overshadowed by Black Friday sales, which now start Thanksgiving Day, if not the week prior. I remember when they used to be called “Day After Thanksgiving” sales. Now, the holiday doesn’t even get that!
I’m not going to get into the history of the day, as those in the US are familiar with the romanticised version of events taught in school. But I am going to throw this little tidbit out there.
It wasn’t a nationally recognised holiday for another 152 years. In 1941 Franklin Roosevelt signed a bill officially making the fourth Thursday in November the official Thanksgiving Day.
Today, Thanksgiving gets lost in the shuffle of the “I wants” and the “I needs” of the latests gadgets and toys. I think we all need a little reminder that today really is set aside to be Thankful for what we have and how far we’ve come.
For me, so many wonderful things have happened this year, but in truth, it is the simplest things that I am most thankful for. And, not surprisingly, none of them have to do with material goods.
- My wonderful Writing Partner Extraordinaire without whose unwavering support I would still be floundering with my plots. And who always makes me strive to make her cry. It’s a good thing, trust me. :)
- My non-writer family and friends who support me, even if they only see me emerge from my writing cave on very rare occasions, and the good natured teasing they give me. They keep me from permanently disappearing into Fictionland.
- My Romance community for the love and support they provide, and the opportunities to let it out into the public every once in a while. ;)
- And, of course, my family for pushing me and supporting me in this crazy journey every step of the way.
I hope this day means as much to you, as it does to me. If you are celebrating, whether it be with family, friends, or coworkers this year, may your turkey be juicy and your blessings warm. And always save room for pie. :)
Your turn! What are two things you are most thankful of this year?
