Thanksgiving Thoughts

I don't have family.

Well, I do, but I don't want to be around them. They are so pushy and nosy about my life. I just don't enjoy our time together.Which is why, when they called and asked me about Thanksgiving, I was inclined to say no.

I had friends to be with anyway. My mother would just take all day cooking the turkey, while my dad and uncle watched the game. My aunt and my sister would argue over politics and religion while my cousin would sit and play his switch. Grandma would just sit and try to pull the family together, but she would be just as miserable.

So I'm not going. What would I do? I normally end up helping my Grandma keep the family from falling apart. Its so much to do. Even she would complain about it.

She did always love my sweet potato pie though. She would say it was the best she ever tasted, while everyone else grumbled over their meal. She would try to play games with the others but in the end it was just me and her. We would play cards and laugh, while my dad and uncle tried to shush us. Grandma would make a comment about having to listen to them growing up, and went on laughing and talking to me.

She would ask me about my job and my life. She loved that I was in graphic design. When I would show her my work, she would smile and tell me I was a professional.

You know, the longer I thought about the Thanksgiving meal, my family pushed me away. But the one person who made me want to stay, was my Grandma. She supported me. She loved spending time with me.

So despite the fights, the shouting, the work, and the exhaustion of the day, I think it's worth it just to hear Grandma say, "I love you, dear. Thank you for spending time with me. Your Grandpa would be proud of you too."

I think I will go this year, for my Grandma. Her need for me is greater than my annoyance of the family. We've only got so much time.