Children screaming and chasing each other around the room. Grandpa nodding off at the table. Spilled food and drink galore. Welcome to Thanksgiving dinner everybody.
Sometimes holidays don’t exactly measure up to the pretty portrait we had been imagining. In fact, sometimes they more closely resemble a violent battle between settlers and Indians than they do a picturesque family gathering.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
Life isn’t a Hallmark card. Nor is it the cover of a “Good Homemaking” magazine. Life is simply, well, very real. This means that it will have its messes, come with its accidents, and, oftentimes, be a tad bit noisy. It will also have room for improvement. Getting to work on ways to make things better though, rather than just already having them be picture perfect, is one of the greatest joys of human-hood. Take advantage of that fact this holiday season.
When a child is crying, be the patient one who sits and listens and helps to figure out exactly who poked whom first. When grandpa refuses to participate, be the brave one who wakes him from his slumbers and engages him in the conversation. When something gets splattered on the floor, resist the urge to whisper a prayer of thanks it’s not your white carpet you’re standing on, and ,instead, go find a rag, get some water, and whip out the heavy-duty spot remover. Ultimately, be the one who puts the “giving” part back into this holiday largely devoted to thanks.
So help spread the joy and peace you understand Thanksgiving can bring. Who knows, with a little T.L.C. you may even be able to help turn the warring factions into peacefully feasting pilgrims and Indians once more.
What’s your craziest holiday memory?? Share it with us in the comments section. . .
