Happy Thanksgiving Anyway

Just a short post for turkey day.

One of my huge regrets about the state of America’s governance is that the very real problems I post about here are at significant variance with the blessings of my own life. I’m one of those privileged Americans with a (very nice) roof over my head, plenty to eat (frequently too much) and enough disposable income to be comfortable.

Knowing that other people have far less, that many will suffer under Trump, and that America is no longer small-d democratic dims my ability to enjoy my own blessings, but I am immensely grateful for them.

The most important thing for which I am thankful is a wonderful family–great kids and step-kids and in-laws–and brilliant, perfect grandchildren (okay, perhaps I’m an overly fond grandma) who care deeply about the world they inhabit and take seriously their civic and human obligations. Unlike many who comment here, we are fortunate that there will be no Trumpers at our Thanksgiving table, not even among our extended family.

And speaking of that table, this year the kids have imposed a rule: no political discussions on Thanksgiving, on pain of fines to be assessed on a sliding scale. Five dollars for the first breach of the rule, ten for the next, and so on. All funds collected will be sent to the ACLU. We will use today’s meal as a time to remind ourselves of all the things for which we are grateful –first and foremost, each other.

I commend this approach.

I would be remiss if I didn’t add that I am very thankful for all of you who read my daily rants–the thoughtful folks whose comments and references constantly educate me, and the “lurkers”–those who sometimes email me and those I encounter when I’m out and about. In my retirement (dotage??), your participation keeps me engaged–and hopeful.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Share a loving table. Hug and kiss those you love. I’ll be back with doom and gloom (and occasional hopefulness) tomorrow.

29 Comments

  1. Happy Thanksgiving, I am thankful I was about to find your blog this year. It has helped me so very much to process the election disappointment and be less discouraged about our current state of political affairs.

  2. Happy Thanksgiving, Sheila, much of your time appears to be spent writing this blog to keep us informed. You certainly deserve this special day not to be forced to think about anything political; enjoy your wonderful family.

  3. Rarely comment, read daily, I am truly thankful for your morning read, a shot of rational thought that I truly enjoy

  4. We were given so much at the first Thanksgiving that there had never been and possibly may never have been more comfortable and safer people. All our comfort and safety still come with a price tag with the cost defined in units of purpose.

    Once one reaches heaven, what purpose is left?

    Is there a path to purpose left for us? Many philosophers have concluded that it is essential to live lives of satisfaction.

    Isn’t living satisfied with life the goal beyond safety and comfort?

  5. Arghh. My editor messed up again in the opening sentence.

    It should say, we have been given so much since……,

  6. Happy Thanksgiving, Sheila! Enjoy your Trumpless time with your family. As far as I know, our family gathering on Saturday will not have any MAGATs. Very grateful for that. My young daughter’s mother is a MAGAT who watches Fox constantly, and I’ve heard evidence from my daughter. Before the election, she said, “I hate Kamala.” When I asked her why, she couldn’t give a reason. She couldn’t give a reason when I asked her why she liked Trump. We discussed it for a few moments, and then she rationally said, “It’s really sad that we have such crappy people running for POTUS!”

    I suppose this is why both parties hate critical thinkers! 😉

  7. Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for your column which provides wisdom and hope. I am also thankful for my family and for dogs. (Cats as well, but to a lesser extent, lol.)

  8. Thank you for the knowledge you share so willingly, for teaching us, providing a place for rational discussion (well, not all the time!) and a forum allowing us to share others’ perspectives.
    Enjoy the day with your loving family, good food and the best company. you
    To all who take the time to post, sharing your perspectives, ideas, comments and links, thank you.

  9. Thank you, Sheila for your research and your wisdom, as well as your efforts to educate and inform.

    Today I have two places to be. One will be all anti-tRumpers and the other will be the opposite, but both are neighbors and I know that I wouldn’t be able to stay in my home without their help. It’s easy to put politics aside, when you see people as people, not as friends or foes. I’m thankful for everything and everyone in my life.

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!🍷🦃

  10. Sheila, I am so grateful for your blog and for those who comment. I don’t know how you do it every day. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

  11. Kelly Guris Boone Scott Zuris our Thankgiving traditions:

    1. Think “thanks” always.
    1. Eat from the bounty we’re given
    1. Enjoy family, others, pets, food, drink, football
    1. Nap when ready (but avoid face planting in the mashed potatoes).
    1. Laugh loudly and often
    1. Get home safely but full to the brim of new memories
    1. 😄🤝😺🐶 🙏

  12. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Sheila,
    I don’t need to be fined to get the idea so I wont say the P word!
    Even the poorest Americans are better off than so many in the world.
    I give thanks for each and every soul I run across, even misguided folks from the dark side. We can learn from each person we meet. Even those with who we disagree. I recently stopped in at a garage sale on steroids. It was toward dinner and I met the gentleman whose items were for sale. He had the person of who won’t speak posters all over his garage best described as a 6 car warehouse. As we talked our conversation never went into P. I had not had a beer in over a year. He managed to convince me to have three. On an empty stomach it was near a religious experience. No matter how much we may disagree on one issue there are an infinite number of things we can choose to focus on.
    When my kids were in their pre-middle school years but before they started I had a conversation with each of my sons. I explained everyone had two sides I explained further that you can choose to engage either but your life and relationships will be all the better if you focus on the side with teeth.
    I give thanks that everyone was endowed with two sides. It makes life interesting even though it can be painfully challenging at times. I always try to focus on the side with teeth, not that I won’t and don’t still engage people I see abusing others! Some people are, unfortunately, one sided. Thankfully they are few and far between.
    May 2025 smile on you and yours! May you and yours smile back.
    One of the multitude of folks thankful for you and what you share with us.
    You help keep me centered as much as that is possible.
    Again, Happy Thanksgiving!

  13. Thank you, Sheila, for your diligent daily blog that informs and provokes. Helps to see through the view of all the commenters. I learn from all of you.
    I’m grateful for my family and that we still live in a country that has the framework for more freedom for all of us, even though MAGA doesn’t get it.

  14. Happy Thanksgiving to all your regular readers and to you Sheila for your thoughtful & thought-provoking blog. We need sanity & hope more than ever!

  15. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Sheila, and to all who come here to wrestle with what’s going on in our country. There are still things for which we can be thankful, not the least of which are communities like this one. Hopefully, building and keeping community will get us through these tough times.

  16. This afternoon I am heading to Thanksgiving dinner at a Trump household. I hope the no politics rule holds there. Wish me luck.

  17. Sheila, thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom every day. I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.

  18. I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with happiness and joy! I am recovering from a virus alone this year!

  19. Maybe I speak for others when I say I’m thankful for everything we have, but I’m not hopeful. I hope that’s different next year.

  20. Thank you for your insights and your succinct summaries of what is happening in our country. We need you and I am grateful for your efforts. Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving.

  21. Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving with your family. We did. I appreciate your insight and your love for this country–and your friendship. Enjoy the season.

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