About six months ago, my parents announced that they no longer wanted to celebrate the holidays with family. They told us to make other plans, as they would be doing their own thing for future holidays. Don’t worry; it’s fine with me. My parents live 10 minutes away, and I see them only a few times each year anyway. It will be even less now.
I have a sister who lives in Nashville with her family, and a brother who lives in Rutledge with his. They had holiday plans of their own. My other brother, Jake, lives with his wife and two children only five minutes from me. We decided to have Thanksgiving dinner at his house.
Jake and his wife cooked the turkey and tons of other food. I made a ham, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Several of Jake and Rebekah’s friends came as well. We had a total of 12 people, and a great time was had by all.
At one point during the evening, someone asked one of the guys there, “Is your mom doing anything for Thanksgiving?” to which he replied, “Yes, but she didn’t invite me.” In any “normal” family, that would be followed by exclamations of shock, but not in mine. Someone else said, “Yeah, my family didn’t invite me either.” And then Jake pointed out that we were in the same situation. As sad as it may be, we all started laughing when someone in the party called us a “bunch of rejects”.
Rejects we may be, but it was nice to be in the company of all these people, each of varying circumstances but with one major thing in common – friends who assumed the role of family. And for that, I’m thankful.
November 24th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Hey! I just stopped by to see how you’re doing. I’m glad you & Jake & friends had a nice time on Thanksgiving. You’re welcome at our Thanksgiving dinner anytime. When I called Jake & Rebekkah a couple of weeks ago, they told me about your plans, so I didn’t call to invite you.
I think it is great to have friends join together and fill in the family gaps- a beautiful relationship!
BTW, we’d love to have you for Christmas if you don’t have other plans.
November 24th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Hey Tish. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. It sounds like you had fun. Your words are so true…sometimes certain friends become as important as family.
Best wishes and speak soon,
Graham xx
November 24th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I’m glad you had someone to spend Thanksgiving with. I was thinking you had come to Nashville at first but then I kept reading. If you come here for Christmas please let me know…we can meet for some warm coffee!!!
November 24th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
LOL. I know exactly what you’re talking about! Over the years our large family get-togethers have eventually dwindled down to what I like to refer to as a gathering of “the only actual sane ones”.
So now there’s less chaos, less arguing and less idiocy. And we sane ones are all much happier for it!
And as far as I’m concerned, the rest of ‘em can kiss my ass. 
Here’s to friendship and happiness where it truly counts!
Shine on,
Aaron
November 24th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
(In reference to your comment on my blog about the Optimus Prime speed painting video)
Wow, Tish, I didn’t know you were a Transformers fan!
You’d probably enjoy these post of mine then; I wrote them a short while before the movie came out. Here’s my transformers category…
http://www.aaroncook.com/search/label/Transformers
Shine on,
Aaron
November 24th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Geneva – Thank you! I hope your Thanksgiving was great! I think us rejects are getting together for Christmas dinner as well, but thanks for the invite! I hope to see you soon!
Graham – Thanks so much for the kind words! I hope to catch up with you soon!
Flat Coke – You will be the first to know when I’m headed to Nashville! I have a huge HR certification exam coming up on December 29th, so I haven’t had time to even think about visiting! I hope all is well for you and Bat!
Aaron – *LOL* You’re welcome to join us Knoxville rejects for dinner any time! And when you “kiss my ass”, I totally cracked up. I think that’s the most negative comment you’ve ever made! Haha! And thanks for the link to your Transformers posts! I’ll head over and check those out now! I am such a geek…
November 25th, 2007 at 12:08 am
As my own family has become more and more dysfunctional over the years, I can certainly understand celebrating a holiday this way. It is certainly better than spending the day miserable or strained. The important thing is you you got to spend time with people you love; whether they are related or not is irrelevant.
November 25th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Ah! I recently found myself wihtout the family I usually spend holidays with due to divorce. I was fully prepared to spend the day alone, and enjoy the time alone. Late in the day, a friend I ran into while walking invited me to a mutual friend’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. ” – friends who assumed the role of family.” Nothing wrong with that. Works for me.
November 25th, 2007 at 2:59 am
Family of the heart can be so much more rewarding – and safer – than family of biology. Glad you didn’t let the ‘rents keep you from having a good time.
November 25th, 2007 at 8:40 am
i live in england, i’ve only traveled home a few times for thanksgiving – the last time my mom served up fish sticks. ???? fish sticks? i guess i should have been thankful for the tartar sauce. anyways, my point, spending the holidays with people you love and like is the most important, isnt it?