Editor's Note
Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks!
By Jillian Melnyk, Editor
I always rolled my eyes on Thanksgiving Day when we went around the table and all had to say what we were thankful for. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I wasn't thankful for anything, I was thankful for plenty! Just to me, the tradition always seemed a little too cheesy and contrived. It felt like my family was fishing for compliments in the same way that women ask their husbands questions like, "You don't think she's prettier than me, do you?" knowing that his
response will always be, "Oh no, honey, NOBODY is prettier than YOU!"
I always felt like this was the kind of straight-out-of-the-movies scenario my family hoped for: Me: "I'm thankful for my family." Them: "No other family is better than us, right?" Me: "Oh no, NOBODY could be better than YOU!" While I rolled my eyes, awaiting the minute when I could jab my fork into some turkey and mashed potatoes, I did secretly think about what I was thankful for. I always had a long internal monologue of thankings to the tune of family, friends and school. This year is no different – I have a lot to be thankful for. This past year has been rough on a lot of us, but I am thankful to have amazing, encouraging people in my life who have been eager to support me in my endeavors. This month's issue is all about giving thanks – thanks to our growing education systems, our families, and life's wonderful surprises. So, while you're sitting around the table, carving up the turkey or gobbling down pumpkin pie, give your kids a freebie if they roll their eyes when you fish for those compliments. They're thankful for you, trust me, even if they don't quite know how
to verbalize it.
Happy Turkey Day!
Jillian
This column appeared originally in the November 2009 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine.