commentary by milt thomas

As we all settle down for our annual pilgrimage to turkey land, which version of Thanksgiving are you celebrating at your house? Is it the normal affair, like every other year, where family flies or drives in, gets together for a long weekend of eating, drinking, talking and reminiscing? Or is it a rather quiet time with just the family who actually lives with you year-round?

For those of us who have not been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, we are probably more likely to treat it as a version of the flu, with most people either asymptomatic or not sick enough to cancel or alter our annual Thanksgiving plans.

But for those who have had first-hand experience with the virus, either knowing people who have suffered or having suffered themselves, it is not a disease to be taken lightly. Personally, I know someone who died from it and others who were sick enough to know death could have been an alternative. My brother could not come from Asheville as he does every other year because he just tested positive. So Thanksgiving at our house will be a quiet affair.

In the future, this Thanksgiving will probably be more remembered because of the year in which it took place – 2020 is a year we wish to forget. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though and hopefully our next Thanksgiving will be like all those in the past.

But that does not mean this one is any less meaningful. We will still be thankful for what we have as a nation in spite of all the uncertainty swirling around us.

To each and every one of you, have a Happy, loving and peaceful Thanksgiving.