Uninvited for Thanksgiving Dinner

The election earlier this month has created quite a bit of

friction between the supporters of the winning candidate and 

the ones who supported the loser.  Of all the elections I have

witnessed in my lifetime, this one has created the biggest

rift not only between the voters, but between family members

as well.

I have refrained from discussing the results and am not

focusing on them here.  I am however, concerned about the

nasty, snarky comments that are being written on Facebook

between friends and sadly, between family members.

It's often been said that the discussion of politics and or

religion is best avoided in social situations.  From what I

have read on Facebook, that is a concept that is not

currently being followed.  I have read some very nasty,

snarky comments between people who are supposed to be

friends.  There has been a great deal of name calling and

belittling of those who voted for the "wrong" candidate, 

whoever that may have been.

This behavior has not been limited to Facebook.  Families are being

torn apart by this election as well.  I recently read about a mother who

uninvited her own child to Thanksgiving dinner because this adult child

voted for the "wrong" candidate.

I don't have much of a family any longer.  My parents are both gone now

and my beloved Aunt Susan died last year too.  I have some cousins, but

with the exception of one, I do not hear much from them.  I am fine, and

not asking for your sympathy because I have a loving husband and a very

good marriage, a dog we both adore, very good friends and especially my

adopted "sister" Robin Carr who fills my heart with joy.  I feel blessed to

have so much love in my life.  That being said, when family members

have passed on, there is a void in your life that cannot be replaced. 

Please consider that tomorrow.  Don't disinvite anyone to share your

holiday feast because their political views differ from your own.  Let

the holidays be a time for making happy memories, not tearful ones.

We are fortunate to live in a nation that allows freedom of speech and

the opportunity to choose our leaders.  Please embrace this idea and

allow for some tolerance.  Don't allow an empty seat at your 

Thanksgiving table become a regret.

Some years back, while my parents were still alive, they had a 

neighbor who they liked very much despite the fact that they had

very different political views.   This woman always spent 

Thanksgiving alone until we found out she did so.  Since I always

hosted the dinner at my house, I decided to invite her to our

holiday feast and included her with our family and friends.  We

did this for many years.  She always brought the most delicious

pie in a sweet basket and my parents would pick her up and

drive her to our home.  For one day, we would put politics

aside and focus on what we shared in common.  Jeanne was

a beloved friend of us all and when she passed away we were all

deeply saddened.  

Family and extended family are precious.  Life is fragile.

Please don't let politics cut the ties that bind.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving 

filled with good food, and most importantly, good memories.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley