THANKSGIVING REALITY CHECK
By Jennifer Rawlings
Being an optimist has its drawbacks, mainly reality. But like all optimists I continue to hold out hope. On Thursday, I am hoping for a perfect Thanksgiving with my husband, our five children and friends. A realist would be quick to recognize that my five kids might throw a wrench in the plans.
Here are a few scenarios that might not go as well I envision them.
Optimistic wishful thinking
As I slave in the kitchen all day over a hot stove my children will come and join me in helping put the meal together. They will offer to chop vegetables and mop the floor. They might even turn off their ipods.
Reality
My kids will join me in the kitchen at least 1000 times to ask: “When is dinner going to be ready?”; “Do I have to eat that casserole, it looks disgusting?” and: “ What’s a mop??”, they will ask with puzzled bewilderment.
Optimistic
When the guests arrive my kids will engage in small talk with our company and offer them a glass of wine, while I finish preparing the meal.
Reality
My kids won’t be able to hear the doorbell over the blaring music they are playing, the video games, and me yelling at them to answer the door. Eventually, one of my kids will stop texting long enough to pour a glass of wine for our company. They will then proceed to spill the wine all over the furniture and our guest because they tripped on the skateboard I asked them to pick up last week.
Optimistic
When we finally sit down for Thanksgiving dinner my children will proclaim “I am so thankful for my family….. especially my mom.” They will sit through dinner, engaging in witty conversation and displaying perfect manners.
Reality
My kids will mumble that they “are thankful it is finally time to eat and for no school on Friday.” Inevitably my sixteen year old will hurl a profanity at my fifteen year old at which point my friend whose child is still in pre-school will look at me like I am the worst mother on the planet.
Optimistic
The evening will be spent playing board games, drinking champagne and eating desserts. My kids will offer to do the dishes since I worked so hard preparing a delicious meal.
Reality
All five of the kids will eat quickly and then ask to go hang out with friends. The apple pie will be burnt because my oldest forgot to take it out of the oven. The champagne will be warm and the board games all have missing pieces and no dice. My entire kitchen will be covered in dirty dishes. The dog will finally be let back into the house to lick up all the spilled food off the floor.
Optimistic
As I collapse into bed I will reflect on how truly blessed my life is and how thankful I am for my family and friends.
Reality
As I collapse into bed I will reflect on how truly blessed my life is and how thankful I am for my family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving
Recent Posts By Jennifer Rawlings
- THE FAMILY DINNER CIRCUS - August 31st, 2010
- MY HANDS MAKE A GREAT TOTE BAG - August 24th, 2010
- SCARY BIG BOOB FOOD, SCARY FOOD CHAIN - August 17th, 2010
- I AM HAPPY WITH MY SMALL HOUSE.....REALLY!!! - August 10th, 2010
- THE PAIN OF CHANGE - August 3rd, 2010
