Turkey Drama and Toilet Paper
Well I’m glad to say that we’ve all made it through “Thanksgiving”. What does that even mean? Thanksgiving. To me, it means knowing that your kids are alive and well, you’re still breathing. We all have our meanings for it.
In my situation, it’s a bit peculiar. My sister (name withheld), and I haven’t talked since last September. Not this past September, but the September a year ago. (13 months.) Now, that said, if you and a certain family member have an unpleasant kerfuffle, you shouldn’t host Thanksgiving at your house. Why is that? Well, because you would alienate said member. Completely. Everybody and their grandmas would be welcome but you. That would be…well, rude. But that’s the case and that’s what’s happened.
My sister is devoutly “right” all the time. (Note the sarcasm.) She is the president of the hate committee of her “private sanctuary”, and services start at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday, weekly- sharp. She has wrapped every family member up in her glorious existence for more than 5 years now. If you’re less than “chaotic and dramatic”, you don’t stand a chance. Sorry…I’m thinking that there are other survivors out there like me that feel this way.
So, this year, Josh and I have chosen to eat with homeless people than to be with her and the rest of the “family”. Yes, it’s true. We’ve chosen to spend our time with street people- drug addicts and alcoholics- degenerates and the mentally ill, than to be with them. We didn’t get “an invite”, but that’s alright- we were already gone.
On the bright side of things, Josh and I are getting along splendidly. We don’t focus on the “might be’s” of the future. We’re taking each day and applying it to our lives. We’ve pulled through some amazingly difficult times. We don’t know how much time we have together, but we’re grateful for every single day and we show it. I think that’s what’s most important- that our lives are vital and static.
And today, we have toilet paper.
Can you really ask for more than that?
(Not really.)
.
Josh’s pic- guy walking in the park/SOOTC (straight out of the camera)
G3. Taken yesterday- Thanksgiving, on our mile walk at the park.
m o n o c h r o m e j u n k i e † 
Great post!
November 30, 2013 at 5:41 am
Hey, good seeing you. :0)
November 30, 2013 at 12:04 pm
I know it’s been a while. Your blog is still amazing!
November 30, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Aww, thanks. Awfully sweet of you to say. :0)
November 30, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Your ‘family’ sounds as well rounded as mine, it is almost 13 years since my dad passed away and since then I’ve seen my oldest brother twice (both at family funerals, the last one 10 years ago), he now has a daughter who has just turned 3 and I have never seen in person.
But spending Thanksgiving with people less fortunate sounds like a great thing to do, it’s something I would like to do at Christmas one year.
November 30, 2013 at 9:13 am
Jenn, I’m really sorry to hear that. That’s incredibly sad, but I can see how that can happen, as it’s happening with mine. I used to seek the approval of my siblings: it’s liberating to be freed from those chains! If this is how it has to be, so be it, eh? I encourage you to get involved with a Boys and Girls club, or yes, a homeless shelter. It’s a humbling experience to break bread with those who can’t go home afterwards. Also, all of the gifts you have to offer others- they won’t be wasted on the next generation. Go out and plant good seeds! Maybe this year you could volunteer at your local homeless shelter. No matter what you decide to do, I hope it’s a good one for you. Happy late Thanksgiving and Merry early Christmas. :0) xo
November 30, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Sounds like you did the right thing regardless of whether or not you were invited to the family feast. The homeless and degenerates taught you what couldn’t be learned in that house of drama. And it will be one of those happy days in the memory book of you and Josh.
And here’s to the abundance of toilet paper!
November 30, 2013 at 9:59 am
Aww, I like how that sounds, “The Book of Me and Josh”. :0) And yes, here’s to many more (months) of having TP! Hahaha…xo
November 30, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Love the photo, and the fact that you used the word “kerfuffle”. Sometimes I think the family we choose to be with is just as much if not more than the family we were born into. It sounds like you chose to have a more loving Thanksgiving. Happy (belated) Thanksgiving Birgitta! 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 7:04 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, Amy. :0) I hope it was a good one for you. (I’m thinking chocolate and wine may have been involved somewhere in there? heh…) And I think you’re right about the family thing. I want to go where the love is. Family is who we love and who loves us back. Biological relatives don’t always add up to that. 😉 I sure do love and appreciate you! And yes, I kind of liked kerfuffle too…heheh. xo
November 30, 2013 at 7:50 pm