I alluded in a comment to the fact that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, spending it alone or not. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Food. Too easy, I know. I'm a big fan of eating, so any holiday that expresses itself through one's stomach is a plus.
2. Two words: no gifts. Thanksgiving isn't one of those terribly commercial holidays where the corporations try to get you to buy everything for your loved ones to show that you love them. It's much more pure, a simple getting together and enjoying whatever bounty you have. In the US, there is a lot of bounty.
3. Not religious, and not dependant on national identity. So many of the holidays here in the US are Christian-based or US-based that it's almost inevitable that there is a group of people who will feel left out. Thanksgiving isn't one of those. It's a holiday that you could step off the boat and feel comfortable celebrating, because we all have things to be thankful. You could have any number of religious affiliations or even, like me, have no religious affiliation and you could still take some time to appreciate all the positive things in your life. Which brings me to the next point:
4. Positive thinking. There are too many holidays that are in some way related to death and destruction. I mean, there's a whole US holiday revolving around a guy being nailed to a tree! He did, you know, get better (which, I know, is the whole celebration), but it's still kind of depressing when you think about it. Veteran's Day: let's honor all the people who died to keep us free. Even Christmas is meant to celebrate this guy who is supposed to help us pull the world through because it was such a shithole before he got here. I mean, really, let's have some optimism! That's what Thanksgiving is all about to me, taking a positive attitude and reflecting on how lucky I am to have my life, my family and my friends.
Let's give it up for Today!
