Pun Inspiration: Thanksgiving
Ah, Thanksgiving. My old nemesis. We meet again…
Wait, what? People like Thanksgiving? I’m the only one who has a wishbone to pick with it? Oh… well… in that case…
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Now, before you shun me completely, allow me to explain my controversial viewpoint on the holiday.
For most people, Thanksgiving is the day you gather with family and friends and gobble down food, stuffing yourself with delicious food that’s painstakingly made just once a year.
For me, growing up, Thanksgiving made me gravy blue. It was a pil-grim day for me, full of awk-gourd interactions with my neighbors and their extended relatives while everything I put in my Ply-mouth was subjected to intense scrutiny.
Because, sadly, I… was a picky eater.
Using the past tense on that kind of feels like an optimistic statement. I’m no where near the levels I was at for most of my life, but I’m definitely not an adventurous eater. I’ve essentially just gotten better at cranberry-ing my finicky habits.
It’s not a trait I’m proud of. Just the opposite, actually. My eating habits have been a sauce of great shame and humiliation for me throughout my life. And Thanksgiving felt like the day they were on display for all to see.
We’d sit at the table and the hostess would almost desperately offer item after item of food, trying to find something that would unlock the feast within. As an adult, I can understand it. I’m sure it was distressing to see my plate empty and she felt responsible for ensuring my baste-ic needs were met. As a kid, I yammed up. I just wanted to vanish into my chair and roll out as soon as possible.
As I – and my tastebuds – have matured, Thanksgiving and I have reached a truce of sorts. I think it started in college. After weeks or months of separation, I began to enjoy the day as a way to spend thyme with my family. I came to love helping with food preparation. However, I’m on the sides-line while my older sister handles the part that’s turkey to the meal’s success. I look forward to giggle like idiots with my younger sister about the National Dog Show contestants. No longer something I dread, dinner time is a wonderful moment to enjoy my family’s company and – yes, finally! – to eat until I’m great-full.
So today, I’m grateful that I’m no longer the mortified child wishing I could disappear on Thanksgiving. I’m grateful for my family’s love, support, unending patience, good humor… and cooking skills.
It will never be my favorite holiday, but I’ve come to appreciate Thanksgiving. After all, it is not my place to reason pie we celebrate.
Pun Count: 18 puns + 1 visual pun
In an I-Deeley World 