We are approaching the giving, gobble and goody time of the year. This is the time when the relatives come out of the woodwork. One discovers long-forgotten relatives and why they are forgotten.
Giving becomes an art form as eggs, sugar, spices and nice things are whirled, whipped, stacked and paraded for all to see and sample.
In spite of tribulations and trepidations, vows will be made, given, and a few vowels will be voiced as the great turkey wrestling tournament gets underway. Legendary cooking disasters will unfold, and somehow we will join in the shared experience of preparing for this grand entrance to the holiday season.
Many appeals will be made to the giving spirit. We could all consider something as small as paying for the next person’s coffee in the drive-thru or buying an extra donut or two.
Give in to those feelings. The world, after all, can be a nice place with your help.
Please also spare a few meager thoughts for the poor penny. It will no longer be made. Like so many defunct coins, it will continue to circulate as businesses transition to a “round to the nearest nickel” pricing policy. If you have that proverbial jar of pennies, consider making it useful.
Spare a thought, too, for the people suffering from kidney disease. This can be a cruel time as fluids are limited and many people struggle to be in good spirits.
Perhaps the best use of those pennies would be to cash them out. Turning a few paltry coins into help at the Dialysis unit or the kidney research center through the bank makes the world a slightly better place for all. They can help to shine a bright light on a scary moment.
Dialysis is lived every day of the year. A penny or two of kindness goes a long way.
Enjoy the gravy train of antics as the deep-frying turkey in the backyard brings the excitement of hooting and hollering, and the sounding of sirens provides the entertainment.
May it be a safe and wonderful day of thanks.
Orpheus Allison is a photojournalist in The County who graduated from UMPI and earned a master of liberal arts degree from the University of North Carolina. He began his journalism career at WAGM television, worked around the U.S., and later changed careers and taught in China and Korea.
