Commentary: Holding Onto the Spirit of Thanksgiving During the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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I write this on the evening of Thanksgiving, belly still full of delicious turkey and trimmings, mind and soul still topped off with conversations and connections with kinfolk of all ages. 

As always, I put my kids to bed tonight with a prayer of thankfulness. Today I prayed with my oldest son, “Thank you, God, for a day when it’s enough simply to be thankful.”

When those words came out, I laughed at their simplicity. My mightiest work today might have been showing up and eating, but not everyone has it so easy. I recognize the work of those who labored and served. There’s the baking of the bird and the blending of the mashed potatoes and washing the multitude of dishes. Looking more broadly, there are linemen in Spokane still working to restore electricity after one of the worst storms ever to hit the Inland Northwest. On this day above all, we remember that nothing good comes without sacrifice. 

Understanding and feeling the depth of effort needed to enjoy the blessings of life and civilization is a valuable byproduct of gratitude, and one reason why I love our Thanksgiving holiday so much. 

I also recognize that for many of us, by this day-after-Black-Friday, Thanksgiving might already be a fading memory. Many folks have been full-speeding toward Christmas for weeks now, and the rest of us who held ourselves at bay now have permission for nonstop Christmas spirit for the next month.

These are good days, but busy ones. There’s much to be done. Enjoying it all can be a lot of work — and that’s not counting the people, like those who prepared today’s holiday meal, who actually do the work of making the holidays a delight.

From those who buy the presents and prepare the food, I am grateful. For the stalwart community volunteers who create wonderful festive events, ditto. 

While I’m going to be right there joyfully yuling it up with the best of them in the weeks ahead, I do think it’s worth trying to hold onto the spirit of Thanksgiving in the days ahead. 

With four weeks still until the big day, we’re headed into holiday overdrive. By the time Dec. 25 arrives, we’ll be so sick of Christmas songs and the hullaballoo that we’ll be eager for it to be over. Some people will take their trees down that day. Never mind that the 12 days of Christmas don’t actually start until Christmas day. Few people will have the endurance to still be celebrating a dozen days later, on Jan. 5.

An old saying tells the sad truth: “Aside from a circus, nothing packs up and leaves town quicker than the Christmas spirit.”



So here’s a modest proposal — let the feeling of Thanksgiving linger. Bask in some simple gratitude. Keep the delicious taste of turkey and family in mind for a week or two. Gradually let it mix with the Christmas spirit. As it ramps up, keep the good times rolling into January. 

The bleak midwinter lies ahead. Let’s keep some holiday cheer in reserve.  

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Speaking of wonderfully festive events, next weekend is what I like to call the busiest day of the year. Not every Christmas event is held on the first Saturday of December, but it’s pretty close. I’d personally like to see them spread out (we’re still enjoying Thanksgiving, folks!) but be that as it may, they’re still well worth enjoying. 

One of the best is the Chehalis Santa Parade (beginning at 11 o’clock on Dec. 5) with the many great related events before and after. 

And in recent years Centralia has created its own delightful holiday tradition to match. The Hub City’s lighted tractor parade takes place a week later, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m.

May you find your way to these or other community celebrations, and may your days be merry and bright. 

•••

Brian Mittge and his family live south of Chehalis. His community column appears each Saturday. He’s still singing Thanksgiving songs, but he’s also been humming “Good King Wenceslas” for a few weeks now. Drop him a line at brianmittge@hotmail.com.