Well, it's Thanksgiving eve. I'm home this week; cooking up a storm for everyone. I was listening to Dvorak's "New World Symphony" when this idea struck, so let's all come along for the ride.
A year ago I was undergoing chemotherapy for Stage III colon cancer....since completed and in remission as we speak. (6-month checkup on 12/4). All seems to be going well, my wife is back to work, my son is happy in his new Scout Troop, and we seem to have much to be thankful for this year.
But why do I think this is more American than even Independence Day?
Think about it - it's all the good, bad, and ugly about America wrapped into one day, for better or worse.
On the plus side, there's food, family, faith, health, and all the things that we should be thankful for, or those that are able to be thankful for them.
On the negative side, there's the usual excesses we associate with holidays; overeating, too much drink, wasted food and resources....and yes, Black Friday, corporate greed, and worker exploitation.
Oh, and did I mention traffic, gas prices, TSA Security theater and travel delays?
Seems to me that Thanksgiving is indeed everything that is America wrapped into one long weekend of excess.
Have a good one, everybody!