20 Thanksgivings....

Written by Scott Wynn

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I think it really captures what a big holiday should be. This year if you have invited someone over for Thanksgiving dinner that needs a place to go, good for you!  What a wonderful thing to do.

Starting when I was in my early 20's I moved around the country, chasing better jobs in my early days in radio. I went where the opportunity was better, and I did it alone. I have come to realize over time that kind of thing isn't for everyone, but I never thought about it much at the time.  Maybe I've been thinking a little more this year what I have to be thankful for. Maybe you're doing the same thing. Kind of hard not to, with all this "thankful" stuff on Facebook all month.

I counted, 20 consecutive Thanksgivings I spent with other peoples families. Our small family has always done a great job at being together at Christmas, but Turkey day had to give. From my former homes in Columbus, to Richmond, to Missouri, to Florida, I spent Thanksgiving away from my own family, and with someone else's for two decades. And I am so thankful for them, and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. There were a couple, that I spent just with the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys on TV. Those were not as easy, but those times were rare.

As I now think back on it, when someone invites you over for Thanksgiving, it's a big deal. Not many holidays are more family oriented. I always showed up with a bottle of wine or something and plenty of "pleases and thank you's" to go around, and once in a while a funny line. But while watching someone else's family celebrate a big holiday, I remember always being thankful I had a place to go, a fire to sit in front of, someone to watch the game with. With people who thought enough of me to let me in to a real exclusive sanctuary. -Their family. I will never forget them and the good deed they did for me for all those many years.

So to Ray and Debbie, Tim and Kelly, The Taylors, and The Other Taylors in a different town, and many other great families that took me in when they didn't have too, I am thankful to you, and in awe of your unselfish deed. If you have someone coming over this Thanksgiving that has no other place else to go, you're doing a great thing. They will appreciate it more than you know. No doubt they will graciously say thank you, but know that deep inside, they will always remember your kindness that day forever. 

Thanks for giving!   Happy Thanksgiving!