I think the thing I love most about modern-day Thanksgiving is the inclusiveness. Nowadays it does not matter what race or religion you are. Everyone can celebrate gratitude with family and friends and eat turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and everything in between.

What I dislike the most is Thanksgiving's brutal past. One such event was in 1637, when former Massachusetts Bay Governor proclaimed that an act of brutal deadly terrorism by settlers on a defenseless Indian tribe of 700 was an act of God and a reason for giving great thanks. We all know our past and present-day history with the original inhabitants of this country is beyond deplorable. So … how do we all come to grips with this and make the horribly uncomfortable truth okay to celebrate? Truly, I’ve been fighting with this dilemma for years and want everyone’s input.

This year is like no other. We want nothing more than to be surrounded by our favorite people and celebrate life! However, we have decided that it is our Patriotic Duty and responsibility to not be spreaders of this virus. So (deep breath) we have canceled Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our family and friends will not be traveling from all four corners of this country to be together. Our hearts are breaking over this incredibly difficult choice. For the first time since 1982, when we ate TG dinner together in a Red Cross tent after a wicked Hawaiian hurricane, it will be … just the two of us … (please sing). Our motto has always been and will be again, The More the Merrier. There will be a time for huge do-over extravaganzas for 2020’s missed celebrations.

Since we made this choice, we work together daily to push the grey lingering cloud back out to sea. Every day we wake up is a glorious day. A chance to do what I love, to be with my love and favorite person in my life and to live here on Cape Cod.

Think about this: It’s been a rough year on every single person that lives on this earth. No one has been totally unscathed. Like so many families, we will have empty seats at the table that will be filled again in the future. And, like so many, we have one seat never to be filled again because of this virus.

Our hearts go out to all who have lost loved ones. Our gratitude to all the frontline workers who put their own lives at risk to help save ours on a daily basis. These points are not lost on us nor taken lightly. We will have a chance to celebrate in the future.

Right now, please make the patriotic choice and sacrifice to stop this monster virus.

Wishing you all a healthy and safe holiday and don’t forget to brine your turkey!

A different kind of Thanksgiving

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