Hi Steve. I am ok. Thanks for checking on me. I hope you are doing ok, too.

waves

it was fantastic hearing from you
love
bobby

Thanks Bobby, you too.

Hi Waves,
Do you have a Thanksgiving type holiday in November or strictly an American thing? I know the meaning may be different, just curious.

Waves,



'Thinking about you and wishing you all good things.

M

Dear Di,

I am touched that you thought of me and the fact that I am no longer in the US.

Thanksgiving is pretty much considered an American holiday here. Actually, I cannot think of a single common public holiday outside of Christmas?

As for festivities similar to Thanksgiving, there tend to be a lot of food-related festivals because of the harvest time, but these are very small and typically in rural areas. There is no national holiday that corresponds to a harvest festival here.

My family does not observe Thanksgiving. I tried to induct them when I came over but it was an epic failure. I remember one time, I asked everyone just to say something they were grateful for before we ate. My dad made a joke out of it. Futher attempts only elicited more irony, so I desisted. It is not his fault; it is just foreign to him.

My mother did used to make me a meal with some traditional Thanksgiving foods on or near Thanksgiving, but I don't see much point in having a near-traditional meal if those I'm with do not share the spirit.

Thanksgiving has always been about sharing for me, and celebrating it alone feels very strange. At most these days, I observe it as an internal day of gratitude, which I can do without having special foods. My mom did buy some sweet potatoes (the white kind) earlier this fall for the two of us, which was nice.

I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.

waves

Thank you, Mari.

Blessings to you as well.

waves

Oh gosh. I'm sorry Waves. I guess the joke took the Thanksgiving away. It's amazing how someone can spoil a good thing with a lackadaisical joke. BF

Yes, Steve.

It was not just a simple joke, it was more of a derailment and avoidance of engagement in the whole thankfulness bit. Dad put a humorous spin on it, making light of it, because that is his style. He made clear he thought it was silly.

It's ok, really. This sort of thing should be genuine. If it has to be a pretense for the benefit of someone else, there's not much point. It is better that it was clear he wasn't going to participate. I know where I stand.

waves

thinking of you waves this holiday season. Did you say you have a harvest day there?
bizi