Nov 28 2008
Thankful for a NO TV Thanksgiving
I grew up without football on Thanksgiving Day. I am very thankful for that. Here is how it came to be and why I continue the tradition.
My parents grew up without television. Mom and Dad each came from large extended families, and the holiday of Thanksgiving truly meant family time. If their local high schools or colleges had a football game on Turkey Day, I guess this event did not burrow itself into their respective schemas about how one celebrates Thanksgiving. Or, perhaps the fact that we did not live in either’s home town severed any connections to a local football contest.
Our tradition was to take a family walk in a county park. Living in southwestern Pennsylvania, we could enjoy brisk weather for exploring the woods, yet usually count on the absence of snow on the ground. This particular park was familiar and welcoming, being the site of summer scout camp, occasional swimming, and other fun activities.
After that, somehow another tradition evolved. We were far from grandparents or cousins. It was “just us.” Therefore, instead of us eating a turkey cooked at home, we dressed up in our very good clothes and went to a restaurant. It was always the same one, and we kids only saw it on Thanksgiving. After driving for what seemed like an hour “over the river and through the woods” (literally – gorgeous rural woods), we arrived at the Century Inn in Scenery Hill. This inn, built circa 1794, was very Colonial including a large stone front step which was visibly worn down from the footfalls of so many visitors. Perhaps even George Washington slept there. (He could have if he came west to oversee troops during the Whiskey Rebellion.) Our family always ate in the keeping room – the small room with the enormous walk-in fireplace. Also, we kids always had the historically interesting appetizer of fruit shrub: a fruit sherbet with orange juice poured over it.
This was my Thanksgiving. I had exercise and family time and good food.
Therefore, I am appalled at the rudeness of football fans (particularly of the male persuasion) who feel that the Thanksgiving events must occur around some idiot television producer’s schedule. I am revolted at the notion that this family meal for which the purpose is reflection on our many blessings should possibly be eaten in front of the set, or with a TV set blaring conveniently close-by. These ideas are so patently ridiculous, that I do not trouble myself with them. I am extremely thankful for a lifetime of no-TV-giving-of-thanks.
