During my tenure at WCVB-TV, Channel 5, I would write an annual Thanksgiving week editorial railing at all the turkeys in our lives. Favorite targets were members of the legislature who……., drivers who…….., people in lines at the store who………, teenagers who…………, television advertisers who………… The presentation was dramatically enhanced by the station’s super-talented Creative Services Department, who designed hilarious animations to illustrate all my pet peeves.
Then, on the day before Thanksgiving, another editorial praised some of the unsung heroes of our world, not astronauts like Mark Kelly or pilots like Sully Sullivan, but little-noticed yet profoundly-appreciated heroes who spend their holidays caring for the sick, the local firefighters who daily risk their lives simply because it’s part of their jobs, or the mother of four who joyfully takes on the burden of raising additional foster children.
Viewers liked the latter expressions of gratitude, but they really loved the animations of life’s annoyances.
We were lucky then that, for so many, the issues we bemoaned now seem minor irritants. Today, in the Donald Trump era, life is chaos, and the potholes are not just holes in the road but gouges savagely ripped from decency and long-held norms. The President has weaponized the justice system; exacerbated the hunger and health issues plaguing millions here and around the world; sold out Ukraine and given Vladimir Putin license to move against Poland, Estonia or Finland; sought credit for bringing lasting peace to the Middle East and elsewhere where little exists; handed over once-trusted health agencies to anti-science ideologues; upended the burgeoning renewable energy industry setting back improvements in climate change by decades; assaulted academic freedom; gilded every structure within sight of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and engaged in unchecked predatory self-enrichment and crony patronage. Need I go on?
So this season, I won’t even attempt to portray Trump as just another of my Thanksgiving turkeys. Instead, I’ll just give a full-throated shout-out of profound gratitude for my wonderful husband, my children and grandchildren, my sister, my friends, my home and my garden, my health and the health of my loved ones, the deep joys of symphonic music, the beauty created by gifted artists, the satisfaction of a well-written book. (Should I add the surprising turnaround of the New England Patriots?) I also give thanks for you, my devoted readers, who send me emails or make occasional comments on my blog. It means so much knowing you are out there and engaged.
So, go. Enjoy your holiday get-togethers. Stop the doom-scrolling and turn off the news. Worrying does not eliminate tomorrow’s troubles. Let’s not let it suffocate the chance for a holiday respite. I wish you all joyous gatherings, bountiful meals, and genuinely happy smiles – no matter who’s around the table.
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Marjorie Arons-Barron 
I so much agree with you, Margie, about remembering to be grateful even in these dark times. I make a practice of feeling gratitude every day for the many blessings of family, friends, nature, and communities that support us. I think about how lucky we are in Massachusetts to have doctors and nurses who are looking after the wellbeing of their patients, showing compassion and following scientific evidence.
Thank you for your uplifting message!
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For 11 years I have been living with the guilt of not checking on David as he was behind the wheel doing what I assumed was communicating with someone. We were in Peets having coffee when he got a message from his spouse and quickly rose to leave. He was parked directly behind me, and I witnessed him getting into the car. I also left right behind him and a voice in me said to check in on him. As I walked around the rear of my truck, his stature and prominence in the community overtook my inner voice, respecting his privacy assuming everything was fine. I wish I had tapped on his window.
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Harry, I’m sure there was nothing you could have done. His death was so sudden, so fast and – so final. Peets on Saturday mornings was never the same for me without him. It’s rather fitting that the gathering place itself closed seven years ago. David was a towering figure, and not just because he was 6’7″ tall. He was a major civic figure, a stellar State Rep and a dear friend for decades. Here’s the blog I posted after his untimely passing. https://marjoriearonsbarron.com/2015/08/05/david-mofenson-stood-tall-reached-down-to-help-others/ My husband and I think of him often.(This was especially true during the recent Red Sox Season, which he so thoroughly would have enjoyed. There’s a small bronze plaque we had installed in his memory near a bench in Waban Common where we like to take a pause in our frequent walks. Like you, we miss him a lot. Thanks for writing.
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Marjorie, thanks for the encouraging words, but nonetheless the sense of guilt will forever in my life remain. A couple of the regulars from the Sbux Waban who have migrated to Nero in Newtonville and I were remembering David today. How he enjoyed always listening to the under dog, and his compassion to do the right thing.
David and I had conversation re: my efforts at ebay selling and how he could apply his knowledge of baseball cards and other collectables in a way that could provide a common public good.. He seemed to be enthralled in a unique thought process for the betterment of the human spirit.
This Thanksgiving, I especially thought of him.
thank you for your devotion. Harry
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MAB, this is another example of your brilliant writing and perspective on the world. Ch. 5 ratings were always boosted by your genius and after reading your latest blog, so am I.
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Amen! You really said it all, and said it beautifully. I have forwarded your blog to some of my friends.
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,!
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We are grateful for you and Jim, Margie, and wish you a wonderful day with family and friends. We are headed to Adam’s for the week and will relax with them sharing good food, sports events (Michigan-Ohio State, etc.) and each other……
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I could not not comment on this one Margie. Excellent. Happy thanksgiving to you and yours, and hope for next thankgiving without trump. Your mention of Mark Kelley is especially cogent now.
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