The writing prompt for Tuesday’s 8th grade Writing class
What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
(at least 3 complete sentences)
Apparently, Karen at Chookooloonks gave herself the assignment as well, and in her usual cheerful way, went beyond the requirements.
The students that afternoon responded with “Get out of school” as the #1 reason to have a holiday. I have to agree with them. When I was growing up, the main reason to be at school was to be with my friends. Any learning, reading, and homework was a high price to pay for being able to play Peanut Butter Heaven and Keep Away and jump rope on the playground during lunch recess.
Did you know that lately kids are not allowed to have a jump rope on the playground? It is a hazard, might slap somebody who wasn’t paying attention. Not to mention, could be used as a weapon.
I’m still not clear on why I work in schools. I liked being in the kitchen of a factory cafeteria much more, but the physical demands were too much for a four decade old body.
But being a TA Sub does give me so much more freedom to say when I want a day off for appointments or Volunteer Time.
So I am thankful for a job with flexible hours, and having a spouse who DOES work full time at a job he likes, which provides benefits for both of us.
I am thankful for a house to live in, with windows to look out on dreary weather and see the vehicles lined up in the neighbor’s driveway. She must be having quite a clan gathering over there.
Our family is the greatest people on the planet, but so few of them live close by. A card and several e-mails have arrived, so I am thankful for folks I love, no matter where they be.
I miss having the Thanksgiving spread all laid out, with my contribution being only one small part of it. When I was a kid, my aunt Sylvia and Grandma and Mom did so much of the preparations, and then my cousins and our friends got to play until it was time to eat.
When our sons were young, for several Thanksgiving meals, our friends Sue and Ezra invited us and other guests to their house just down the block. So I am thankful for memories.
Today, youngest son is here. He just dug into the Pumpkin Dessert Squares which came out of the oven at 10:30 and called over to me that this is the greatest food e.v.e.r.
Life is short, so yeah, we eat dessert first. The turkey bird is in the oven, coming out in a few hours. There will be mashed potatoes from scratch, green bean casserole, stove top stuffing, cranberry sauce. And leftovers, the most important part of food. I’ll put a nice bowl of turkey into the freezer to have it for Christmas. We had to give up ham a few years back, it doesn’t agree with bodies five decades old.
If I were willing to put so much more effort into my day off, I would invite neighbors over for some of my cooking. Alas, my gift of hospitality does not lean towards an open house. And we are not quite ready to join the group over at the church. Nice folks, but one son is here.
We miss the older two, and their mates, but life rolls along.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
7 Responses to Happy Thanksgiving 2009