FRANK’S EPIC THANKSGIVING FAIL When Kathy and I first got married, we spent our first Thanksgiving hosting her parents, who had moved to L.A. after they retired, and her siblings in our small apartment we could just barely afford. We were just out of law school and didn’t even own a TV (which my father-in-law promptly bought when he saw this bleak condition, so we could watch football, thank God). The next year, we went to see them. It was my first time in California (nothing says “working class” like never being west of the Mississippi) and, even for a traditional holiday guy like me, it was just awesome — beautiful weather, palm trees, movie stars, etc. You see, both sets of parents were celebrating at their houses that year and both wanted us to come over with the baby. I thought that was a great idea: one place for dinner, one place for dessert, and the very real possibility of two Thanksgiving dinners and desserts. (I could eat like that then.) But, when you try to do two Thanksgivings, timing is critical. So, when we showed up at my parent’s house at the same time they had eaten every single year I’d been alive, and my mother said, “Oh, remember? We decided to eat later this year,” I had an uneasy feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. This was way before text or email confirmation, and I had apparently been told this information in a phone conversation with my mother, somewhere wedged between her asking when could the baby come over and when could the baby come over again after that. But we couldn’t stay for the late dinner because we had promised my in-laws we would be at their house later. But my in-laws moved back to D.C. the next year, and that’s when it happened — the Thanksgiving Fail. We’d had a baby a few months before, and nothing inspires grandparental pressure like the first grandchild on both sides.
So, we sat around, smelling the turkey, stuffing, twice-baked potatoes, apple pie, all cooking away. I’m starving just thinking about it. But we had to go to the next house.
And you know how it is with a baby; everything took forever, and we were way late.
We got in the car hungry but knew we’d be eating as soon as we made the 45-minute trip. Also note, you drive a lot slower with a new baby, and it takes 20 minutes just to get in the car, so we got there an hour and a half later. And, when we got there? Nothing. My mother-in-law said, “Oh, I thought you were eating at the other house and were just going to stop by for dessert. We ate at noon. Let me hold that baby.” Too embarrassed to admit I had messed up the times in an attempt to pull off this crazy idea with a new baby and had succumbed to the powerful pressure of new grandparents (and most of all, had missed my opportunity for two Thanksgivings), I think we ate leftovers or went to a drive-through or something. sensitivity. I’m just so relieved that I can move on to the next stage in my life. And I couldn’t have done it without you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much!” –K.A., Rockville, MD “I was out from work on workers’ compensation for months, and I was not aware that I should probably consult with an attorney. I had no intention of retaining an attorney. Nobody tells you these things, especially when you think you will get better and return to work in a short period of time. That was not the case for me. I recommend this law firm highly because they value their clients and provide the utmost respect and integrity in handling your case. They are professional, honest, understanding, and helpful to those in need of their assistance. I am now able to focus on getting well and putting my life back together! What a blessing. Thank you so much!” –Ms. R., MD So, I totally get it when people say how stressful the holidays are! And that’s also why we host Thanksgiving.
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