Turkey, Stuffing, and Pie...Oh...my guts...


We've made it. The holiday where we get to celebrate gluttony. The holiday where we cram way too many people into a kitchen that's way too small, to "sample" pieces of the turkey that "appear to have gone bad". We scream because there are too many people gathered in one spot...or people are just hard of hearing. We jockey for position in line to get to the mashed potatoes first. There's chaos, there's eating, there's drinking and there's football!!!!

Once the smoke has cleared, the dirty dishes are in the sink, everyone has taken off their belts or put on their Joey's Thanksgiving pants, we might sit for a few minutes and then we are off to the next thing. Many will get up at the butt crack of dawn to go shopping (which sounds horrible) to save $50 on an Apple Watch...please make sure to support locally owned small businesses.... We rush, rush, rush for 4 days and before we realize it, a time that was to be spent giving thanks for the amazing gifts and family in our lives... is gone...and what have we accomplished? We may have gotten to see some people we never get to see, but ask yourself this question "what memories did we make?"

Many of us have moved to other parts of the country. We work weird hours that keep us away from our family. We have commitments and "things" that keep us away from other people. We spend a lot of our time driving to and from activities for our kids. We are go, go, go for so much of our lives, that we forget to enjoy the days where all of these extra activities stop. This Thanksgiving, let's make a pact together...
  1. Help with the meal
    • I know that this may seem weird, but when was the last time you helped with the meal during a holiday? Typically, this task is going to be left to a select few who demand respect in the kitchen and will cook you if you screw something up. Hey, I'm OK not ruining the food, but this is your chance to help with the plates, silverware or grabbing people drinks. This can take a lot of pressure off the host/hostess and allow them a chance to relax a little bit...also, get the host a shot of something and help them calm down
  2. Help in the clean up of the meal
    • I'll admit that this is where I'm awful. I tend to clean up my portion, tell the kids to do the same and then I'm gone. This year, I'm going to make more of an effort to taking some of that off of my wife or those who get stuck washing the dishes
  3. Let's put away the phones, tablets, TV and other electronic devices
    • Yep...you read that correctly. I'm HORRIBLE at always having something in my hand and I'm going to make more of an effort this year to not. Find a basket or a box and throw them ALL in for an hour or two...this goes for the kids too... Find the remote and turn the TV off. Of course you can snap a couple of photos with your phone...I'm not a monster...then hit the off button. Don't worry, your Instagram or Facebook will never know that you were away. You're probably not going to receive any text messages about needing to claim $1,000.000 from a Nigerian Prince that you can't respond to until later in the evening.
  4. Take a walk together
    • Obviously I love to be outside. I love nature. I love to just breathe in the fresh air. Make an effort to go outside...for many this may be the only time this week that you do so. 
    • If you can, find a park or hiking trail. You might be able to see some pretty cool stuff.
    • This would be the one exception to rule #3. I want you to be safe and an emergency may strike that you need to get in touch with someone, but keep it off unless necessary....or if you see Bigfoot...then make sure to get a picture
  5. Play a game
    • This should really be considered point 4(b) due to the climate restrictions many will face for point 4. If the weather or health of the individuals in attendance is restricted, play a game...and no I'm not talking about Fortnite...there are these things called "Board Games" that used to be all the rage when we were younger. Pull out those games that you played when you were a kid or bring a new game to introduce to family members. If you're lucky enough to have an area where the adults can sneak away from the kiddos, I recommend Exploding Kittens NSFW Edition...it's pretty freaking hilarious and wildly inappropriate for kids
  6. Look at old picture albums or printed photos
    • This was something my amazing sister came up with a few years ago...I think to embarrass me due to my stellar style choices in the late 80's/early 90's...and it's so much fun. Grab those albums that have been gathering dust in this digital world. Look through those old trips to the "Worlds Largest Ball of Twine" and remember that time you went to Disney World wearing your favorite fanny pack. The words "what in the..." will be uttered more than once
  7. Enjoy the art of having a conversation
    • In this day and age of little glimpses into each others lives, this is your chance to talk about things. Reminisce about the things that you used to do when you were kids. Talk about the time when you threw your brother-in-law down the flight of stairs in a box not knowing he had a knife in his pocket...it's a true story...and have a laugh. Have a new hobby that you've been looking into? Talk about it. Heard something interesting the other day about the turtles? Share it. I've found that it's always good to have a nice beverage in hand too and things will be a lot more funny. 
    • This isn't the time, however, to talk politics though. Stay away from confrontational topics. If someone tries to steer the conversation that way, just start making weird noises...because that always helps 😉
I know this list may seem mundane and trivial. I know a lot of you are going to scoff because "we're adults and we can do whatever we want", but this is your chance to make the deeper connection with people that is missing in our lives. Some of you may even say that you hate your family members and you don't want to talk to them...don't worry family members, this isn't me...I love you all...but this might be your chance to bond with them in a way that you haven't been able to in years. Make memories. Enjoy spending time with others and always remember to give thanks for your health and the day.

Stay Strong, Run Long
Brad

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