REMEMBERING THANKSGIVING

The holiday has changed, but its spirit remains the same

By Forest Riggs

The eleventh month of the year arrives and with its arrival comes Thanksgiving. It seems that we went from Halloween directly to Christmas, at least in the stores. Thanksgiving, in a commercial sense, makes no money. Other than turkeys and, sometimes, traditional meals, merchants make little to no money for this holiday.

So it is that other than pumpkins, burlap scarecrows and some dried corn and squashes, nothing sold in the stores really represents Thanksgiving. Of course, there is pumpkin spice in everything from toilet paper to personal hygiene sprays. Even Old Spice is now marketing a Pumpkin Spice deodorant and body wash in package covered with anime characters. How romantic is that to cuddle up and kiss someone that smells like a cold cup of a Starbucks reject!

By the end of July, Christmas things are appearing on the shelves and television commercials. Home Depot clears away all the giant blow-up yard decorations and the animatronic witches stirring a cauldron that are activated when approached. Those things come in every conceivable shape and appearance, from killer zombies to headless horsemen. Almost over night these items are removed, and the Christmas items pack the aisles. This starts mid-September — Thanksgiving is passed over and forgotten. I have, on occasion, seen blow-up turkeys in yards, scattered among pumpkins. Pumpkins have become a huge market with very high prices, popular among the trendy set, to place on steps or inside the house to create that “Fall” feel.

So where did Thanksgiving go? For the most part it started to wane because of the change in family dynamics. Families these days are often broken and scattered, resulting in the demise of the Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving gatherings. With divorce on the rise, many families consist of one parent who is oftentimes struggling to make ends meet and keep it all together. Grandparents, once the cornerstone of such gatherings, are just not around or involved as they once where. Distance and busy schedules often prevent the traditional family gatherings.

When I was young (back in the stone age), we could not wait for Thanksgiving to arrive. It meant cousins coming to visit, grandparents and an abundance of homemade pies, cakes candies and delicious dishes made from handed-down recipes. The stuffing or dressing was always the highlight of the meal, created using the families “secret” recipes. There was no rush to get back to busy, cramped life. Folks generally lingered, sat around telling family stories or playing games. These days you cannot pry the kids away from their cell phones and gaming devices.

Galveston, like every other city, suffers from the same changes. Rather than cook at home, many choose to reserve the dinner at any one of Galveston’s fine restaurants. Then too, there is the ordered full meal from stores and restaurants that can be delivered or picked up. No longer are Grandmother’s recipes needed. In this fast world of ease and convenience, all one needs is to provide the number that will be dining and sit back and wait.

In contrast, for me, there is nothing to compare with aroma of turkey roasting in the oven; it permeates the house. The actual cooking of the turkey now is the subject of television programs, call-in radio shows and numerous commercials explaining how to prepare the very best turkey. My grandmother, were she still alive, would balk at all the fuss. “Put the damn thing in the oven and cook it!”

Fear not! All is not lost and certainly not Thanksgiving or the reasons we celebrate the holiday. The joy and rewards still dwell within the hearts of most folks. Always there is a great deal for which to be thankful — some small and often taken for granted and some huge and appreciated.

Galvestonians, for instance, this year is thankful that neither hurricane nor threatening weather came.

We are thankful for another year of fun festivals and celebrations.

Our merchants are thankful for tourists that come and spend money.

Galveston’s beautiful beaches and abundant sunshine are always something for which to be thankful.

Many are thankful for their health and good times with family and friends on the island. In these days and times, we should all be thankful that we wake up each day and are on this side of the dirt.

Yes, thankfully, Thanksgiving is still here, and with a little effort we can rekindle the joy and feelings from years before. This year, gather with friends and family and enjoy the special time. Let each express that for which they are thankful. Toast with good wine and make new memories. Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. Should you hug up on someone special who smells like pumpkin spice, run!

Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com and ForestRiggs.com.

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