Every year on a certain Thursday in November my family and close witness friends would get together, eat Menudo ( hispanic stew) and other foods, watch football and then get dressed to go to the meeting.
Sister so and so would bring her famous pie, Bro and sister so and so would bring their gross punch and Bro and sis so and so would bring mexican sweet bread. Sometimes we would go to "worldy" aunt's and pick up plates of turkey and fixins.
This was every year on a certain date, on a certain Thursday in November.
This continued until my mom got Alzheimers. By that time I was married and had my own house. I continued our family tradition. Same food, different witness friends and, coincidentaly, I still had the meeting on Thursday (which sucked if the Cowboys were playing late).
No one ever objected. No one raised eyebrows and everyone had a great time.
Now I am no longer a witness. I have a new wife and a new house. This year, I am having the family gathering next Thursday. I will be making the traditional family food along with Turkey, since Ive never made it and want to try. Her family is coming (mom is a witness but not a uber one).
My brother declined to come since he had other plans. He asked if my if could leave my mom with me since he will be out of town. I told him that would be great since I would be having food and her fam. He paused then asked "Wait. You are not celebrating are you? If you are I dont think I am comfortable with leaving mom there." I reminded him that I am an atheist and would be thanking no one, which satisfied him enough to allow my mother to go.
For 30 years and probably years before I was born this family has celebrated Thanksgiving. Witnesses around continue to dodge and weave around the obvious fact, that on a certain Thursday in November they are eating with family and friends, giving a prayerful thanks before the meal and watching football; all symptoms of celebrating Thanksgiving!
They hide it under the guise of calling it "family gathering". Call it what you want but its still Thanksgiving! The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me!