Heard someone the other day talking about how, in general, holidays aren't celebrated like they were in the past.
I totally agree. Families change/shrink/dissolve. We've "evolved", but I don't think we've "progressed".
Since it's coming up, let's consider Thanksgiving. Your family may be different, so I'll just reference my upbringing.
There was no such thing as a "small gathering' for Thanksgiving dinner. The more the merrier, and somehow Mom ALWAYS had an extra drumstick for an unexpected visitor (perhaps it was a mutated turkey).
Kids stayed at the "kids table" until puberty hit. Once things on your body started "sprouting" (for example, hair ALL over), you ate with the adults.
For one day, there was no major concern about calories, fat content, cholesterol, or table manners for that matter (it was ok to burp or...something else, ESPECIALLY something else, since everyone laughed about it).
Maybe as a "treat", the kids got a little taste of an "adult" drink.
EVERYONE watched the Macy's parade on NBC (on occasion you went to CBS to see what they had. Truthfully, you didn't really care about the parade in Detroit, OR Philly for that matter. And what's the real story about those Mummers?).
The TV stayed on during the meal, couldn't miss the Lions or Cowboys games, even if they did suck.
The Christmas music was played for the very first time that day (or maybe you didn't hear any of if until Black Friday).
Speaking of which, you NEVER could get a Black Friday special buy till MAYBE 6 AM that morning, rarely at 5 or earlier.
While Mom went shopping (Dad was sleeping it off), the (only) three TV networks ran their Saturday morning cartoon line up all Friday morning until the college football games started.
Locally, the other big event on Black Friday was the night time Schenectady Christmas parade, THAT was the official start of the Christmas season.
It was cool to shop in downtown stores (ok so I'm dating myself on that one, Colonie Center was still somewhat new).
Needless to say, most of those things have gone the way of the Model T, never to be seen again.
I appreciate progress, but every once in a while I'd love to see some of this come back.
In our family, there's actually very little family left. All of my side of the family is gone. My wife Nancy has lost her folks, and our kids (and grandkids) may spend the day with the In Laws.
For the last couple of years, Nancy, her mother, and I have gone out to dinner, and maybe to Wal Mart to kill a little time and walk off the feast.
Still not 100 % sure of our plans, but we're open for anything.
Nancy's aunt may be spending the day at the Racino in Saratoga with friends.
That's not a bad idea.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for the penny and nickel slots.
And when/if "Jingle Bells" becomes "Ching Ching Chingle Bells".
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mike Patrick
