Thanksgiving

With a project deadline looming I couldn’t find the energy to drive to Minnesota this year. I feel bad that I’ve enjoyed it so much, but with some analysis you might understand my view.

The downsides*

1. I didn’t get to see my Parents, favorite Aunt and Uncle, or my Grandmother for Thanksgiving.

The upsides

1. I didn’t have to spend 16 hours round trip in the car, or 9 hours in transit via airplane. I’ve traveled almost every Thanksgiving for the past 15 years. It is an exhausting time-sink.
2. I got to sleep in. My parents like to wake us up to eat breakfast. My parents also like to get up at 5:15. You see my issue.
3. I got to go running, swimming, and do other activities I enjoy. Running and biking are complicated by the cold weather, and I don’t have pool or gym in Minnesota. I’ve considered joining Snap Fitness just so I can go to the gym in MN.
4. I got to catch up on TV shows, and not have my parents want to watch, leading me to spend all my time explaining what is happening on said shows.
5. I got to hang out with friends and not have my Mom make me feel like I don’t love her because I want to spend time away from Family.
6. I got to use my laptop without my parents asking me what I’m working on every five minutes.
7. I got to cook. A lot.
8. I got to clean the house. After months of neglect I had to get a HASMAT suit to clean my bathroom.
9. I did laundry. Yes, I could have done that at home, but when your parents are 500 miles away it isn’t convenient. Plus my clothes would be all wrinkled by the time I got home.
10. I made a Pumpkin Pie just for me.

It’s sad, but I want to do home-giving every year.

—

*The other downside was that B went home and I haven’t seen him since Tuesday, but that would have happened if I had gone home or not.