The month of November always brings fond memories of holiday seasons past. It’s hard to forget the entertaining turkey dinners with my aunt and uncle who always fought like they were on the Jerry Springer Show or my gay cousin who incidentally lived in San Francisco, would always catch crap from his homophobic dad. But my favorite memory of them all was my alcoholic Grandpa. His drunken philosophy, theology and political views were a masterpiece of obscure babel. With all these elements it was like having a dysfunctional mystery dinner theater. The mystery being, you never knew what was going to be said next, that would make an un-suspecting family member cry and run out the door.
Also, I remember the super cab pick-up truck me and my two sisters along with our parents and one senile great aunt would drive down to San Antonio. The long trip from Fort Worth seemed like it took forever. No DVD screens, no satellite radio, GPS or even a cell phone to keep in touch with the outside sane world. Instead we got to hear my dad make empty threats on how he was going to turn that truck around and go back if we didn’t stop fighting. Now with all the luxuries of home in our car at our disposal, it’s easy to appreciate modern technology. I am very thankful for all the automobile amenities that have become part of our daily driving lives. But when not used properly these helpful tools can be a deadly distraction.
But most of all I’m thankful that I have a car that gets me to work without violently shaking on the freeway like it’s having a panic attack. I’m thankful for the driver who lets me into traffic and I show that thankfulness with a wave (using all five fingers). I’m thankful to the motorist who uses their signals and I am especially thankful that I don’t have to go to those psycho Thanksgiving dinners anymore. I would love to read your Thanksgiving family memories. Send us your comment or e-mail and I’ll be glad to post them. Join me again next week and until then…
Take care and be safe-
Danny Keaton