Thanksgiving has been called America’s best holiday. I agree. It’s filled with family, food and football, and you don’t have to buy any presents.
The concept of Thanksgiving dates from a harvest celebration in Plymouth, Mass., that probably took place in 1621. It wasn’t celebrated on the same date in every state until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln passed a proclamation setting it on the last Thursday in November. In 1941, Congress set the celebration on the fourth Thursday in November.
You should be thankful that I’m not going to delve into the murky history of the holiday’s origins. Or cover all of the celebrations that claim to be the “real first Thanksgiving.”
One thing I’m thankful for is that I don’t have to work on Thanksgiving. I’ve worked on many holidays during my journalism career and it can put a damper on the celebration. My sympathies and respect go out to those of you who will be working today.
Fortunately, The Greenwood Commonwealth is closed on Thanksgiving (the paper you’re reading was produced Wednesday night). So I will be able to join the Corder family for our celebration at my father’s home.
Like the Corders, I’m sure your Thanksgiving dinner will be accompanied by lively conversation. To avoid ruining your holiday meal, here are some topics you should avoid at all costs:
• Politics, in general, and the recent presidential election, in particular.
• Criticism of the meal’s menu and the preparation of any dish on the menu. Saying, “I liked it better the way (insert name of deceased love one here) made it,” is a potential trigger for domestic violence.
• Religious and denominational disputes.
• Criticism of relatives who are seated at the dinner table. Those who are absent are fair game.
• Medical malpractice and tort reform. (Yes, an argument about this spoiled my appetite a few years back.)
• The Egg Bowl.
My boss, Tim Kalich, suggested that I write a Thanksgiving column. When I expressed some hesitation, he suggested that I give “the curmudgeon’s view of Thanksgiving.”
Just because I own a “Who is John Galt?” coffee cup (it came with a magazine subscription) doesn’t mean I’m a curmudgeon. Just because I thought “The Help” was the most over-hyped movie in history doesn’t mean I’m a curmudgeon.
I prefer to think of myself as a realist.
There are plenty of things I’m thankful for:
• This world that God created for us. Most of its worst problems are man-made.
• The United States, which is the greatest nation in history. I’m very aware of how lucky I am to live in a country that has been blessed with natural resources and an indomitable people.
• Our military and the men and women who serve in it. They guard the freedoms that have made America great.
• Mississippi, our much-maligned state. Mississippi is afflicted with many social and medical problems, not to mention a history that wasn’t always pretty. But Mississippi’s people are the greatest on earth and have produced more than their share of standouts in many fields, including the arts, sports and business.
• Greenwood and the surrounding area. This is the friendliest place I’ve ever lived.
• My daughters, Amy and Emily. They have grown up to be smart, talented and vivacious young women. Obviously, they were blessed with my good looks, musical talent and writing ability, but they had to do some of it on their own, too.
• The rest of my family, especially my father, who’s still in relatively good health at age 77.
• My health. Four of my high school classmates have died this year. I’m thankful to be alive.
• My job. First, I’m thankful to be working, period. Many of my journalism colleagues have lost their jobs in recent years.
I’m also thankful to be the managing editor of the Commonwealth, my best job ever. And I’m blessed to work with the best group of people ever.
• Finally, I’m thankful for the readers of the Commonwealth. We couldn’t do any of this without you.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. Remember to count your blessings.
• Contact Charles Corder at 581-7241 or ccorder@gwcommonwealth.com.
