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Turkey-day wisdom has thankful message
(by Christine Thome - November 19, 2008)
BEYOND MY CONTROL, BY CHRISTINE THOME
Turkey-day wisdom has thankful message
'Twas the week before Thanksgiving, and all through the land,
people were watching their savings disappear like quicksand.
What do we do? Where is the good? How are we going to pay for our Thanksgiving food?
Forget about food, some people scream and vent, I don't have enough money to pay the rent.
My retirement is in the gutter, my job is about to be severed, and, without a college fund, my children will live with me forever.
With the future looking dim and bleak, it is hard to find anything to be thankful for this week.
With not much to celebrate and no reason to smile, all that cooking no longer seems worthwhile.
Some say maybe this year we should skip the holiday, say goodbye to Thanksgiving and send it on its way.
But at our home one creature stirred and made such a clatter, we had no choice but to see what was the matter.
At the door we heard loud screeches of gobble; even great-grandma came running with a wobble.
There in the entryway stood a turkey so ugly and big, my husband grabbed his drink and took another large swig.
"I am the turkey of Thanksgiving past, and I have to tell you, I am simply aghast.
"Have you forgotten what's important and what you hold dear?" he asked us all as he wiped away a tear.
"But money is tight," we cried. "The news is all bad, and the papers say that it's not a fad.
We just don't have the energy to dine, on a Thanksgiving feast," we all whined.
With that, the turkey looked us each in the eye, his wisdom began to show, and he let out a sigh.
"Last year this table was filled with family and friends. Even strained relationships were on the mend.
"It didn't matter who was poor or who was rich, because in your hearts you found the perfect niche.
"You were thankful not for stocks and bonds, but for your health, your family and life beyond.
"You have something that no one can take away, because you have each other for at least another day.
"Times are tough, and the news is not great, but don't make that your everlasting fate.
"Dining like kings is not what this holiday is all about. What's important is to set aside your doubts.
"Embrace your family and tell them thank you, thank you. Let them know you appreciate everything they do.
"For without our family and without our friends, everything that is good would simply come to an end."
Silence filled the room as we pondered the turkey's words, and we soon realized that our thinking had become blurred.
Concerned with things that were out of our control, we had put aside what is important and lost a piece of our soul.
With our hearts feeling light and our thoughts turning bright, we put our arms out and held each other tight.
"Please, Mr. Turkey, how can we give you our thanks? You've made us realize we are richer than all the banks.
"We have our health, and we have each other. You've even made a sister appreciate her brother."
"My work is done here," he said. "My job is finished, for I see that your love will never be diminished.
"You now know that what makes your life content, is not the money but the time together that you spent."
"Please, Mr. Turkey, this Thanksgiving will be the best. Won't you please do us the honor and stay as our guest?"
"I've been the guest of honor at many tables. But today, I think I will remain a fable.
"For I firmly believe it's better to remembered, than it is to be eaten and dismembered.
"So think about what I said and gather everything you have known, and make a special request on that turkey wish bone.
"For if you wish for love, courage, peace and health, I promise your life will be full of more than wealth."
And with that the turkey opened the door and left with a hobble, and in the distance we heard a joyous gobble, gobble, gobble.
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