Keeping the Thanks in Thanksgiving

by Suzanne Wiley, volunteer contributor

Quite a few years ago, fresh out of college and in my first house without roommates, I decided to host Thanksgiving. Instead of a boozy Friendsgiving of holidays past, I was going to invite distant relatives who lived in the area. My plan was to serve all the traditional Thanksgiving fare—turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and pecan pie. Never in my life had I attempted such a spread. I knew I could make mac and cheese, heat spaghetti sauce and order a mean pizza, but roasting a turkey? I wasn’t so sure. In my mind, it couldn’t be that hard, could it? After all, I had watched various family members roast turkeys for 20-some years. It still made me nervous, so I was relieved when one relative—lets call her Kimnay*—offered to bring the turkey. I was delighted! That way I was going to be able to focus on the sweet potato casserole recipe I found and taking a Marie Callender pie out of its box.

As one who has a preparedness mindset with the philosophy that it is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it, I ordered a small smoked turkey breast from a gourmet meat company. If anything, I could use it for sandwiches or send it home with my guests in doggie bags.

I woke up early on that memorable Thanksgiving morning eager to start my preparations and cooking. I wanted the house warm and smelling as if I had slaved over my oven since before the sun rose. My guests started to arrive and things started without a hitch. My timing was spot on with juggling my casseroles, potatoes and rolls in my small oven. When Kimnay finally showed up, she carried in a big roasting pan covered in foil that looked like it housed a decent 10 pounder. Knowing nothing about turkeys—it sure appeared that this one would feed an army! To keep it warm, we put it in the bottom rack and I continued finishing the rest of the nosh.

The time finally came to lay out the spread. The turkey—always the star of the show—I had left to present last. After arranging all the steamy sides, I went to the oven for the giant bird Kimnay had so graciously cooked and brought. I gently laid the roasting pan down on its rightful spot in the middle of the dining table and anxiously pulled back the foil, ready to carve the succulent, delicious fowl. The foil, pulled back and removed exposed an empty, rounded ribcage, two legs—in tact—and browned wings.

It did not cross my mind to question how Kimnay had so cleanly removed the meat without breaking the bird’s chest cavity; it didn’t take me put a few seconds to burst out laughing. This was a joke, right? I exclaimed, “Well this is funny!” When I looked over at Kimnay and saw she wasn’t smiling, my good humor was lost in an instant. Where was the breast meat? Was this some new way to carve and serve a turkey?

“Kimnay,” I asked. “Where is the white meat?” Straight-faced, Kimnay replied, “Oh. I left the good parts at home.” She was dead serious.

Kimnay had cooked her turkey, removed the white meat and purposely left it at her house. In the fridge. 50 miles away.

Kimnay had brought me a turkey carcass.

Thankfully, I am a ready-minded person. We all got a slice of turkey breast instead of having to fight over the two legs and wings left of our Thanksgiving turkey.

Now, admittedly, I was devastated, in shock and in mild disbelief at the time. My good humor did not return that afternoon. However, two good things did come of that Thanksgiving. One of those distant relatives who attended and I have become close friends—and no it is not Kimnay—and now I have a hilarious, horribly true story that will never get too old to tell over and over again.

Some may say that Kimnay’s actions were crazy. And they slightly were. Nevertheless, that day was not a full loss. I thoroughly enjoy telling the story now and it makes everyone laugh every time.

I am convinced that every family is a little bit nuts. You can choose to be frustrated, grumpy and argumentative. Or you can choose to embrace their quirkiness. I mean, after all, you are one of them. Love them for their zany antics; embrace the friendly rivalry when they root for the Eagles. Even give them the last piece of white meat.

Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D has studied gratitude for over 10 years. Through scientific research him and his University of California Davis team concludes that being grateful

• Boosts our immune system
• Makes us more resilient to tragedy
• Helps us feel less physical pain
• Lowers our blood pressure
• Gives us more joy
• Creates resistance to stress
• Fosters compassion

I challenge you—before sitting down with the family on Thursday—to take a few minutes and make a mental list of things you are thankful for. Your list doesn’t have to include huge things either for it to improve your mood. It can be as simple as, “I am thankful I woke up this morning,” or “I’m thankful I got a kiss from my dog.”

There are many in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex that will be affected by disasters and suffer loss this holiday season. They will struggle with finding reasons to be thankful. To learn how you can help, visit The American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/support.

*Names have been changed to protect the guilty.

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Thank You from the American Red Cross North Texas Region

This week we come together as a country to remember that no matter our differences, we each have something to be thankful for. The Red Cross mission is a lot like Thanksgiving: our backgrounds make us different, but together we can blend our unique skills and talents and serve others as a way to show our gratitude for what we have.



Whether you're a Red Cross worker, donor or supporter, we're so grateful for you and share a special message for you today from our American Red Cross North Texas Region CEO, T.D. Smyers.

Thankfulness is a hot topic around this time of year. Fortunately for us, we belong to an organization that inspires thankfulness several times a day! In fact, today I want to express my thanks to our amazing team - both employees and volunteers. The complex work of the American Red Cross cannot get done without both types of Red Crossers forging a cohesive team. When we do it right, we succeed at alleviating human suffering and look good doing it! When we fail to tightly collaborate, however, we fall well short of optimizing our mission and helping people. Our message suffers as well.

A heartfelt "thank you" to all of you who make the North Texas Region Team tight and effective! I'm very proud to be a Red Crosser, every day, because of the legacy you live every day! Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and those who surround you!

T.D.

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Safety First during Holiday Travel

Millions of travelers will take to the skies, rails and highways during the Thanksgiving holiday and the American Red Cross offers some tips to help travelers arrive safely at their destination.

Airports, bus and train stations are crowded with Thanksgiving travelers, but most holiday travelers use highways and biways. Many people even make same-day trips to visit friends and family just for the day.

To arrive safely, the Red Cross recommends these steps for those driving to visit loved ones:

• Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. 
• Start out with a full tank of gas, check the air pressure in your tires and make sure you have windshield fluid. 
• Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.
• Be well rested and alert.
• Use caution in work zones.
• Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
• Observe speed limits – driving too fast or too slow can increase your chance of being in a collision.
• Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
• Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road.
• Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
• If you plan on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink.
• Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.
• Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.
• Don’t overdrive your headlights.
• If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

It’s also recommended that you keep an emergency preparedness kit in the vehicle. Useful items include water, snacks, a flashlight, first aid kit, extra cash and blankets. The Red Cross Deluxe Auto Safety Kit is a great solution to help people prepare for emergencies on the road and is available in the Red Cross Store at http://www.redcrossstore.org./

 

For people traveling by air, bus or train, the Red Cross reminds them that the seasonal flu can occur as early as October. If you have come in contact with someone who is sick, perhaps the trip should be postponed as you may be contagious for a week before symptoms appear.

 

Other safety tips to avoid the flu while you travel include the following:

• Remember that everything you touch has to be touched by someone else – luggage handlers, etc. Handle your own belongings as much as possible. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Carry hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes with you. You can use them to wash your hands or wipe down surfaces such as armrests.
• Bring your own pillows and blankets – they can act as a shield against the seat itself.
• If you have to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your face or eyes.

For more information on how to remain safe while traveling this Thanksgiving, visit http://www.redcross.org/.

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Preparedness Tip of the Week - When deep frying your thanksgiving turkey, know how to put out a grease fire.

With turkey day upon us, I thought it would be a good idea to include a preparedness tip on how to put out a grease fire. You never know when it could happen, but if it happens to you, you will want to be prepared.

Grease fires are dangerous because the liquid grease can be splashed and spread easily and quickly throughout the kitchen or your backyard.

To prevent a grease fire, stay near the pot while it is cooking. If you keep an eye on it, it is less likely to get out of control without you noticing.

How To Put Out a Grease Fire

1. If a fire has started, DO NOT THROW WATER ON A GREASE FIRE! DO NOT TRY TO CARRY THE FIRE OUTSIDE!

2. Try to smother the fire with a pan lid. Fires need oxygen to thrive and spread, so stop the oxygen supply and you stop the fire. Beware of glass lids, they could break in extreme heat.

3. Call 9-1-1. Do this immediately, even if you think you can get the fire under control. It is better to have the fire truck on its way in case the fire spreads.

4. You can also smother the fire with baking soda. It takes a lot, but is worth a shot if it is closer than a pan lid.

5. Always, always, always have a fire extinguisher available. A dry chemical fire extinguisher will contaminate your kitchen and food, but can be very effective. If possible, purchase a Class K fire extinguisher. They are usally found in commercial kitchens, but will put out grease and other kitchen fires.

6. If the fire spreads, start evacuating. Treat burns when you are safely outside and firemen are on their way.

To see how quickly the fire can spread, watch this terrifying and realistic video.

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Have no fear! There are many ways to volunteer!

The holidays are a great time to spread some cheer... show some love... give a little joy...

Have you thought about giving?

Have you thought about volunteering?

As we approach Thanksgiving next week, have you considered what you are thankful for? I encourage you to show someone a kind gesture and spread the thankfulness.

It can be a small gesture... buy someone's coffee, be a shoulder to lean on or give a gift to the American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter.

Of course, big gestures - giving blood or volunteering - can also go a long way to help someone in need. There are many opportunities to get involved and make a difference. If you choose to volunteer, the American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter has many opportunities available here.

So do something radical... or do something small. After all, it is the thought that counts.

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