Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > November > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHappy Thanksgiving to you and yours
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the markets tanking, unemployment soaring, millions in danger of losing their homes and home values falling nationwide by almost 17 percent in just the last quarter, we’re supposed to take a day off to count our blessings?
Well, yes. In fact, Thanksgiving couldn’t have come at a better time. After months of increasing fear and an understandable focus on what many of us have lost or could lose in this crisis, today offers a chance to refocus on all that we still have, on all that is more precious to us. It is a chance to remind ourselves that the richness of life can’t be measured in terms of dollars or numbers on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
In strictly logical terms, it might seem harder to give thanks in tough times such as these, but that’s not how the human minds works. In fact, the opposite is often true: It is hard for most of us to be grateful in good times when everything is going well. We tend to get cocky, both as a nation and as individuals, and we take the good times for granted, assuming incorrectly that such a state of affairs is normal, that this is how it always ought to be and will be.
Conversely, it is human nature to appreciate your blessings most when those gifts seem more fragile and temporary. We suddenly live in an era when just having a steady paycheck and a roof over our heads might be more than cause enough to be thankful.
In fact, as extended circles of friends and family gather today, the odds are that somebody in the group — maybe several somebodies — will have lost their job, their businesss or their home, or have real fears that such a thing could happen in the not so distant future. The economic crisis is so widespread, touching so many industries and regions and economic classes, that no Thanksgiving gathering is likely to be immune to such fear.
But we’ve been through a lot worse before, as families if not as individuals, and we have things to draw on. A lot of folks, for example, still have Depression-era lore as part of their family history. It’s the wisdom of elders, passed down in narrative form by those who lived through hardships that we still have a difficult time imagining.
In my own family, the story that strikes deepest might be called the Night of the Oranges.
Back in the ’30s, my grandmother and grandfather were raising six kids in a West Virginia coal-mining town. That was tough enough, but it got worse when my grandfather, a machinist, was paralyzed by a stroke and bedridden for the rest of his life. Suddenly, my grandmother had seven mouths to feed and no breadwinner to help out.
When I’ve heard stories from that era, my aunts and uncles always seem to point out that other people had it worse than they did. But my Uncle Pat does tell the tale of a night somewhere around Christmas when a group of my grandfather’s co-workers showed up at the door bearing a holiday basket of canned food, candy and fresh oranges.
Uncle Pat recalls being transfixed at the sight of those oranges, which were apparently quite the luxury item in that time and place.
But my grandmother, a tough little wisp of a woman, bridled at what she saw as the offering of charity. She turned the men away and told them to take the basket with them, much to the dismay of the children standing behind her in the doorway.
(I should point out that Dad doesn’t remember the scene quite so cinematically, but hey, Pat always was the better storyteller.)
Those were tough people, people you could count on. At some point today, look at those around you; they are your certainty and security, and you are theirs.
Comments
By DB, Gwinnettian
November 27, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
I hear Depression era stories from my father, who remembers the dustbowl.
We do indeed have much to be thankful for today, including today’s column. Best to you and yours, Jay.
By "The Corporal"
November 27, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Jay
Thanks for that wonderful story. My grandmother also raised ten children by herself in a coal mining town of West Virginia during the depression. Most of us today have no idea ……. and I pray there won’t come a time when we do.
Today, I always remember my 1967 Thanksgiving meal …. beans & weenies, crackers & cheese, pecan cake roll and a canteen of warm cherry Koolaid …. and I was thankful to be alive that day to enjoy it with my Marine buddies.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends on this blog.
God bless.
By Swami Dave
November 27, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Well wishes to all as well.
There is much for which we all have reason to be thankful.
-Swami Dave
By GayGrayGeek
November 27, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Thank you, Jay. Like you, my family is from the coalfields of southern West Virginia. I have heard many stories from my father about his “Christmas orange”, the one time each year that my grandparents would splurge on “exotic fruits”.
Thank you. From a fellow hillbilly, thank you.
By Taxpayer
November 27, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
We do indeed have much to be thankful for, Jay. By the way, did you cook that bird yourself.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
By Greg Mendel
November 27, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Happy Thanksgiving, pinkos and wingnuts.
By RW-(the original)
November 27, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
If you feel that some things are spinning out of control just keep in mind that as I type this the #1 most popular story at the AJC is a sexual romp in the bathroom during a football game. Sometimes the more things change the more they remain the same.
The story says the woman was released to her husband and the man was released to his girlfriend. That can’t end well.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
By getalife
November 27, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
Oh, I am pretty sure there is much whining about liberals at the Andy household but my family does not discuss politics or religion at our house.
I am thankful every morning that I wake up to live another day. Health and family are the most important things in life.
By GayGrayGeek
November 27, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Apparently, we sit around at the kookman household being thankful for the government-
Andy, could you give it a rest for just ONE day? OK, maybe two days - today, and again 28 days from now?
By Taxpayer
November 27, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
I was thinking the same thing, GGG.
By sunshine and thunder
November 27, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122765723215458175.html
By Ray
November 27, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Most memorable Thanksgiving was 1970….. lots of dead and wounded. Served some turkey and dressing between cases by a topless OR nurse with the most magnificent pair ever viewed. Said she was just spreading some Thanksgiving cheer to all of us who hadn’t slept in a couple of days. She looked even better with a Santa hat on.
By Slick
November 27, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
AJC/DNC MANAGEMENT
It is obvious from ALL of your postings that you hold the AJC and Jay in contempt.
Why do you read it every day and post your hateful and juvenile comments - even on Thanksgiving day? As GGG said: Give it a rest!
I’ll bet if a poll was taken here, the thoughtful, intelligent posters on this blog would vote to throw you overboard!
By mike hussein smith
November 27, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Andy — It’s sad you seem so ignorant of Christianity’s greatest commandment: Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.
By Midori
November 27, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
My dad died Thanksgiving week, 15 years ago.
I still miss him, especially this time of year.
But am thankful that God took his pain away.
And to each and every one of you: HAPPY THANKSGIVING
I’ll light a candle for you tonight, Andy.
By swolf
November 27, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Happy Thanksgiving folks!
By GayGrayGeek
November 27, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Andy, you used your usual epithet “kookman” in your 9:43. We’re asking you to Give It A Rest today, as well as 4 weeks from today.
Please? Or is that just Too Much To Ask of you?
By JAY BOOKMAN
November 27, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Management, you know what? Grow up or go away. Preaching Jesus Christ while simultaneously spewing bile and contempt is an insult to the religion you profess to follow.
Please don’t post again until Monday.
And have a happy Thanksgiving.
By GodHatesTrash
November 27, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Let’s be grateful for what we have today, and remember that there are many many many who have far far less.
As the holidays commence, let’s not forget the spirit of the season is Hope. And Peace.
Yes we can. Hope that is.
And Peace, too.
By GayGrayGeek
November 27, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
No, Andy, all that was asked of you was that you Give It A Rest today. Instead, you spewed your usual epithets and insults, all while claiming to proclaim the gospel of your Lord.
You claim to be a Christian. For this one day, and another one exactly four weeks from today, please act a little more Christ-like. Please?
By Midori
November 27, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Andy - it is all too apparent that you have a disdain for authority, manners, etc.
you can’t even abide by a simple request by the author of this blog.
Jay tells me to go away, I do it. No argument I could come up with would suffice.
So sad. It speaks volumes about you.
By getalife
November 27, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
The Obamas’ Thanksgiving
By Midori
November 27, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Andy,
when did I “attack” you?
As it is quite obvious that you don’t intend to abide by Jay’s request, I’d like to ask for examples, please.
I do recall a recent request by me to you that you stop calling me names.
By GayGrayGeek
November 27, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Midori, it’s quite apparent that Andy feels that The World Revolves Around Andy, and that anyone pointing out how boorish, childish and just plain bratty he’s acting is mounting an “attack” upon him. Though it’s as much of an “attack” as it would be if we pointed out that Water Is Wet, or Fire Is Hot, or Ice Is Cold, or…
Andy, please - Give It A Rest. Jay very politely asked you to not post in his blogs until Monday. Please act like the Christian you claim to be, Turn The Other Cheek, and abide by our blog host’s request.
By GodHatesTrash
November 27, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
I think we should just leave the blog to the RightWingnuts, and enjoy the fellowship of the sane this weekend.
I urge all decent folk to do the same, and would that Bookman would just not post anything new until Monday.
And let them poop in their playpens all they want.
Happy Turkey Day to all.
By JAY BOOKMAN
November 27, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Management, we can do this one of two ways.
You can cease posting until Monday, and then resume after that.
Or you can continue posting until Monday, forcing me to pull them down individually, and also forcing me to have you banned from any future posting altogether once I return to work Monday.
Your choice. The first way would be easier for me short-term; the other would be easier for me long-term. But it is your choice.
If you force it to be MY choice… well, don’t tempt me.
By Mrs.Godzilla
November 27, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
I had the happy duty of teaching my new daughter-in-law how to roast her first turkey and make all her favorite trimmings.
First, take the turkey out of the bag. Second, take the bag out of the turkey.
I am so thankful for my family. No matter the state of the world, their stock contnues to rise with me. I am one lucky lizard.
By "The Corporal"
November 27, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
To Jay and all
Just checking in and was surprised to see that Andy has been barred for today. I’m not sure what he said (since that has been deleted) but let me offer two points:
1) We must be careful about freedom of speech, even unpleasant speech on a Holiday.
2) For those who called whatever “Andy” said unChristian, keep in mind that Jesus could be very loving one moment (“do unto others as you would have them do unto you”) and to the same religious rulers of the day very stern the next (“ye are of your father the devil”).
Let’s be careful here what we call unChristian.”
By GayGrayGeek
November 27, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Corporal, please don’t think that Jay came down on Andy’s head hastily. In short, Andy started with insults, then proceeded thru several posts to one that was a mixture of proclaiming What A Good Christian he was while flinging invective and Just Plain Nastiness on a day, and in a blog posting, where none was really necessary.
By BDAtlanta
November 27, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
The lengths that some will go to in order to get attention is amazing. For some it appears to be a constant craving.
Some days if you don’t have anything positive to say, maybe it’s best to just not say anything. This is one of those days.
By RW-(the original)
November 27, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
This blog really needs a feature that lets comments get automatically emailed to you as they post so one has the opportunity to see what gets deleted by the host and whined about by the haters.
I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday.
By "The Corporal"
November 27, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
To GayGrayGeek
I hear you.
1) My point is sometimes I fear it is selective. I can rarely post something on these AJC blogs without the same people being very ugly to me personally instead of simply debating the issue. I can only hope that Jay will be fair to both sides.
2) Jesus spoke love but he also spoke truth. Because those in power didn’t like what He said He was killed. Part of living in this country is that we are thankful we have the freedom to speak without fear of retribution. I would hate to see that weakened even on this blog.
By Taxpayer
November 28, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this
I choose to give Jay the benefit of the doubt based on what I have seen him leave up versus pull down in the past. Unlike things such as the stock market, I think past performance from humans can be a good indicator of future expectations.
By spankmonkey
November 28, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Happy thanksgiving to you all! Hope you had a good one!!!
Andy may have been banned for a day, but at least he has his Escalade and his Rightwing RSS newsfeeds to be thankful for. Ha!
I don’t have any problem with his banishment for a day. It’s much like not asking that drunk uncle that always feels up the neices and nephews to come to the Thanksgiving dinner festivities…
Anyway, Corporal, Dusty, RW, Ragnar, and everybody else… Hope you had a great turkey day!
Now, let the contrived war on Christmas begin!!!
By Mrs.Godzilla
November 28, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
I had such a nice day yesterday guiding my new daughter in law doing her first Thanksgiving dinner and got a laugh after checking in here and seeing there’d been Andy Drama.
Today - not so good. 2 more coats of enamel, carpet starts coming up and I just realized I did not bring home any leftovers. No Friday turkey sandwhich! No side of cole slaw! ARRRRGH!
My hopes and prayers remain with the people of India today.