Old Country Buffet

Main Entry: Thanksgiving. Noun. Definition: Grace. Pronunciation: [thangks-giv-ing]

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of every month. It usually includes a fried or baked turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, apple cider, pumpkin pie, and of course family. A big table is set up in the middle of the dining room and decorated with a cornucopia and the best dish set the family has. The silverware is sparkling and smiles are spread across the faces of the adults. What about the kids? Well, currently the “kids table” is being set up in the far corner of the kitchen. This usually means smaller glasses, less food, and more droll. Meanwhile, at the “grown up table” there are loud discussions about politics or religion. There could possibly be a juicy story, reeking of gossip, coming from an aunt about one of your friend’s parents. A distant cousin is staring into their plate (they wouldn’t dare look you in the eye). Your brothers are minutes from a fight and your running out of patience. Dinner ends, the TV is playing the football game, and all you want to do is take a nap.

Are you bored with all that? I know I am.

This has my Thanksgiving since the day I was born. This year will be a little different. My family is stepping away from the normal and making thanksgiving more about giving thanks. The Old Country Buffet is open all day with the best turkey you’ll eat and not have to do the dishes afterwards. Spending time together and not having the stress of buying ingredients, cooking for 8 hours, sweating, entertaining and cleaning dishes after all of it is over. Why not just spend time together and make it simple? Regal Cinemas is right down the road to top off the day of family. The world is our oyster for that one day. Who knows what we’ll do. It’s time to make a new tradition.