Talking Turkey

With Thanksgiving arriving next week, I feel I must talk turkey.  My children go into hysterics every year because I literally talk to the turkey that I am about to cook.  I feel you need to coax the bird to be good.  I know you are doubting my sanity, but seriously, Thanksgiving is a day I am cooking all day and I have to crack myself up.  I am on my feet all day.

I mean aren't we all getting ready for our individual dysfunctional family get together?  I don't think that any family today is not affected in some way by divorce or addiction or whatever.  I used to host our dysfunctional family brunch followed by a full on turkey dinner.  By the end of the day, I need a drink.  And I don't drink.  I used to get so worked up about everyone being happy but finally realized that God is in control and I am not.  

So many of us rush around to get to at least two family get-togethers.  Some of have to do more than two.  Rush, rush, rush.  Kids have to look nice and be good at everyone's house.  I cook dinner so I don't have to run everywhere.  I also tell everyone coming to my house that it is a casual holiday, pajamas and sweats.  I refuse to dress up my children to have them wreck their new clothes, let them wear sweats.  It's what we all want to be wearing anyways and the first thing we will change into when we get home from the frolicking.  I say start the day comfy and just keep going.

With a rebel yell, take back your turkey day!  Let it be what your family wants it to be.  You don't have to make turkey, make pizza, just enjoy each other.  Holidays are for family and for love, not chaos.  Take back your holidays and make them yours, not the neighbors, not your mom's, not your sister's, yours.  Own it.  And if you are making turkey, talk to it, it really does make it turn out yummy.  If the turkey starts talking back, put down your wine glass.

God bless you and yours.