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With Thanksgiving Day nearly upon us, I figured it was time to pay
homage to this holiday which has basically turned into a precursor to
the shopping season, instead of the day for which it was intended…a day
to give thanks for all the bounty in our lives. As a youngster, I
enjoyed Thanksgiving most for the chance to have a few days off from
school. I never did care much for those parades, and didn’t like the
football games that took over in the afternoon. I don’t care that much
for turkey or cranberries, but the pumpkin pie more than makes up for
the healthier fare. As I was cleaning out the old house this fall, I
came upon a paper written by none other than Ryan Glanzer. I don’t know
how old he was at the time, but I’m guessing about 10 or so. I got such
a kick out of reading this, that I have to add it to this column. Here
it is, word for word. (Even at that tender age, Ryan showed a gift for
sarcasm and humor!)
“Our Thanks to Thanksgiving”
Marcie pulled the pies out of the oven early one morning. The fresh
aroma of pumpkin pie sailed into father Glanzer’s bedroom and awoke
father. He smelled his way to the kitchen to find his loving wife.
Mother found father sitting in his easy chair…”Oh, Bunky, Love, do give
thanks on this wonderful day, today,” Mother said. “Oh, I will give
thanks,” replied the Glanzer’s loving father. Just then, Ryan, Jordan
and Alex, three little angels, raced downstairs to see their loving
family. “Good morning Father, tis a wonderful day!” said Jordan. “I know
it is, now that you are here!” the caring father replied. Each took
their turn at breakfast to say what they thought was best to give thanks
for.
Alex went first…”I am thankful for the birds, to wake me on this morn.”
Jordan volunteered to go next…”I am thankful for the radish, for it’s
color is so fine and delicate.”
Ryan went next…”Family, I am truly thankful for our love and care for
each other. We all love each other, right,” answered Ryan.
Mother went next…”I’m (sniff) thankful for our skills. Husband, your
strength, daughter, your scent…Ryan, your imagination…Alex, your violin
skills…”
Father, with a tear in his eye, went last. “I’m thankful for the
music…what is life without something to make you feel good about
yourself? Alex, if you would?”
Alex took down his violin and the family sang..”Praise and thanksgiving,
let everyone bring”…Yes, this truly would be a day to be thankful for.
Now, wasn’t that imaginative? Pretty good writing for a little kid, even
though none of it was heartfelt or sincere. So, what am I thankful for
this year? Let’s see…
(1.) I am thankful that Ryan only got thrown into the slammer once this
year and that he seems to have learned a valuable lesson.
(2.) I am thankful that Alex has managed to land him a pretty nice gal
and got a ring on her finger before she got to know our family too well
and had time to bail out.
(3.) I am thankful that Jordan and Calvin are raising a fine family,
soon to be growing from four to five, and that they live close enough to
visit often, but far enough away to not visit too often!
(4.) I am thankful that Dick was as tired of being cold during the
winter as I was and agreed to building a new house (and that he has
taken his vows of “through richer and poorer” to heart and stayed with
me for 27 years!)
(5.) I am thankful for no snowfall yet this year as I hate snow,
freezing rain, blizzards and all winter related weather.
There is a lot more to be thankful for this year, but you get the idea.
I’ve got it pretty good and any complaints I may have are pretty minor.
So on that note, I will close this column for which all of you reading
are surely thankful! Happy Turkey Day!
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