“You know that just before that first Thanksgiving dinner, there was one wise old Native American woman saying, “Don’t feed them. If you feed them, they’ll never leave.”- Dylan Brody
“Thanksgiving is an emotional time. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.” – Johnny Carson
“Last Thanksgiving, I shot my own turkey. It was fun. That shotgun going “Blam Blam!” Everybody at the supermarket was just staring. Why track them when I know where they are?” – Kenny Rogerson
Several years ago, my brother and his family lived without a refrigerator. They had two ice chests with frozen jugs of water that they had to replace about every other day. They made the kids do that. And what prompted them to this 17th century way of living?
Leftovers! Leftovers? Yes, leftovers were one of the reasons they gave up their refrigerator. It wasn’t the only reason, but it’s the one that stuck out in my mind.
November is filled with national ‘food “days. There is Candy Day, Deviled Egg Day, and Cashew Day (which goes with the fact that it is National Peanut Butter Lover ‘s Month.). November includes “Cookie Monster’s” birthday and the day that William Tell took a bow and arrow and shot an apple off his kid’s head. (NOTE: Parents, this is not legal.) Halloween candy that was hidden under the bed has now been found by a younger sibling. Aunties and Grandmas are making fruitcakes and cupcakes, oodles of noodles, cookies and tortes, candy wreaths and three-story gingerbread houses and last but not least…. there is Thanksgiving.
People from the good ol’ U.S. of A. gobble up 690 million pounds of turkey each Thanksgiving. I have no idea how many pounds of stuffing, mash potatoes, yams or cranberry sauce/relish are made. I do know there will be leftovers.
Food is not the only leftover. There are leftover people lying on your sofa, leftover rude cousins that don’t know when to go home and there are leftover dishes and arguments as to whom or what will do the dishwashing. There is leftover trash outside created by city wildlife. Leftovers can be so overwhelming. What’s a person to do?
Humor, once again, may be the best defense you have to any kind of leftover. Think of it as an emotional antacid. When tensions arise from the holiday planning or holiday crowding, (in your living room), try reaching for some quiet time with the Sunday funnies. How about one of those silly holiday movies that make you laugh and groan and laugh again? You can also say to Aunt Mildred’ “Let’s play ‘I love Lucy episodes on Youtube,” while you both do the dishes. Either she will love it or she will leave the room. Either way, you win. Most important, learning to forgive yourself and chuckle at your humanity helps deal with the leftover blues.
November 15th was National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. You can then prepare the space for leftovers without overcrowding. Clean out and make room in your emotional refrigerator (where you get nurtured) for more humor, laughter, and joy, especially around this time of year. Take a daily dose of mirth as a re-laxative. It can prevent hardening of the attitudes.
Nowadays, I have Thanksgiving at our home early in the holiday week. It helps our stepfamily and my brother’s family attend to the other four holiday dinners. We have sushi and Italian beef, and a veggie platter in the shape of a turkey. Laughs, jokes and humorous storytelling is really the main course. And we always have plenty leftovers of joy.
Thanksgiving blessings of Gratitude, Humor, Laughter, Mirth and Joy,
Debra Joy Hart
Joyologist, Certified Humor Professional, Registered Nurse, Minister, Clown
Author of Grandma D’s Bubbles: A Lesson in life and Loss
Author of (soon to be published) 63 Things I Want You to Know Before I Die (Because I Am TIRED of Repeating Myself)
Bereavement and Grief Support Counselor
TEDx Speaker: “That’s Not Funny! A 3P Practice for Grief Resilience with Laughter and Tears.
www.debrajoyhart.com
debrajoyhart@gmail.com
