"You know what Jesus said to the Chicago Cubs? 'Don't do anything until I get back!'"
There's a smattering of light laughter from the crowd and I suddenly start imagining the scene like a cold opening from an episode of the West Wing. The camera would pan up from the folds of a tablecloth to the sounds of polite laughter and clinking china and silver wear.
But this wasn't a fancy dinner party. This was State Street on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and everyone simultaneously decided to go back to inspecting the Macy's window display of Santa making his 'Naughty or Nice' list. For the third time this week, I thought about which list I would be on.
It's 23 degrees with a windchill that makes it feel like 12 and there's a set of twin girls in matching silver puffer coats tugging at the sleeves of their parents that sets the tone of the crowd: I think everyone skipped on giving thanks, and went straight for the capitalist Christmas cheer.
I guess with the events of the past few days, there's an air of hesitancy around the idea of Thanksgiving. It's questionable whether the holiday is even deserved.
But despite all this, I'm faced with three strange milestones:
1. My first Thanksgiving in Chicago
2. My first Thanksgiving without my family
3. My first vegetarian Thanksgiving
And it seems I've already broken a cardinal grocery shopping rule of my mother's: never get your groceries the day before a holiday. It will feel like the end of the world is near.
I also think if she knew the menu: Veggie lasagna, instant garlic mashed potatoes, gingerbread cake (with canned whipped cream, not fresh), and blood orange soda instead of cider, she would fix me with this long withering stare that would make me question everything about myself.
My Thanksgiving wasn't the traditional day I always love but living on my own means I make my own traditions now. So I guess I always have to marathon X Files on Thanksgiving now.
I'm just happy I got to spend the day in a mentally healthy environment with my best friend and some nice, warm food.
To put it one way, or in the way Jake put it when he said grace, "we're thankful for bikes, dogs, beer, and some other stuff too."
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