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Published on 11/25/1996 All articles from this issue

Mama, let your babies grow up to be pilgrims

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By Clyde Noel

A Side of Clyde

Of all the holidays we have during the year, Thanksgiving does not cater to children other than gathering them around the table for feasting. That's because it's a holiday for thoughtfulness. Thanksgiving, started by Pilgrims in 1621 and still celebrated by North Americans, is the appointed time when we give thanks for divine goodness.

During the year we have Easter egg hunts, Christmas toys, Halloween costumes and Fourth of July fireworks for children at our holiday celebrations. So we need a quiet, low-key holiday once in a while.

We say thank you many ways: "thank you very much," "thanks a lot," "how can I thank you" and "thanks a million." Have a nice day!

These fake sayings for thoughtfulness should be used by checkout cashiers at supermarkets.

The other day, on my wife's instructions, I went to the supermarket and picked out the exact brand items my wife wanted and put them on the black belt. The cashier asked, "Will that be all?" I said yes and gave her two $20 bills.

She handed me my change of $11.34, and when she finished I stood there and asked, "Will that be all?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean will that be all, just like you asked me?" I said. With that she was ready to call the manager because there was no appreciation of my business. All she had to say was, "Thank You."

When it comes to saying "thanks" at our house this year, there will be a few relatives, and a lot of friends. The dinner table is covered with a holiday table cloth, and the silver has suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

The food is put out, and the guests sit down for the dinner celebration and that moment arrives.

"Thank you, Lord, for this food which we are about to receive. Thank you for giving us good health and allowing us to live in one of the world's best places to live. Thank you for no-down sizing of our work place conditions so we can all be together one more year. Amen."

Our eyes are bigger than our stomachs as we stack our plates. The kids just eat it because it's a prerequisite for dessert. But they should remember the ritual of observing family values and pass them on to their grandchildren. No TV, no radio, just old-fashioned dialogue among family members.

After the feast, the kids run off to play and grownups do what our parents did when they were our age. Have lively conversations about everything. The one thing lacking in our celebration is songs. How come there are so few Thanksgiving songs?

Hours later, coffee, tea and the marvelous homemade cakes and pumpkin pie come out. The kids sit down at the table and everyone is together again. That's what really counts. Love, respect and support.

At this very moment I'm looking forward to tomorrow. My body doesn't ache, I'm not broke, and my family is fine. I'm just going to take the day off and sit around with friends and appreciate how lucky I am. I hope you can do the same tomorrow.