Easy to say Thanks

Seems like the Thanksgiving Days I remember as a kid mostly started out cold and foggy and gray. And this SoCal Turkey Day was no exception.

Seems like yesterday I was hanging out close to our crackling wall heater as Dad, my brother Jay, and I watched the Packers do what they always seem to do to the Detroit Lions.

And eventually, the men in our family wore down Mom’s resistance to sports and she joined in. But we never succeeded in snapping Mom’s grip on reality; she always knew sports was the Toy Department. My sense of reality disappeared just after I first heard the profound words, “Play ball!”.

Even as a kid, I always had the sense I was lucky.

Mom would clean the spinach Wednesday night and then join Aunt Clara just as NFL Turkey Game Two got going. Together, my mom and aunt made enough ravioli to feed the Sicilian Infantry…or the equivalent: my brother Jay and Cousin Herb. Oh, and we also had turkey and all the traditional fixings. And, once we cleared our palates with fresh melon and strawberries, there was always room for loads of Italian cookies; and who can pass on Sicilian cannoli? And who cared if I was still eating at the card table?

By the time all my aunts, uncles, and cousins arrived, America’s Team had finished off Game Two…and I was already content before my first bite of ravioli. I loved just sitting back, closing my eyes, and listening to Uncle Johnnie and Uncle Tony renew some ancient neighborhood debate that probably began even before Nat “King” Cole had started singing at Uncle “Tony’s Nightmare” (Still my all-time fav name for a bar.)

Maybe I remember Thanksgiving Day being cold and gray because indoors everything was so warm and full of life…and love.

This Thanksgiving was all about memories. My immediate family and all my aunts and uncles are hopefully in a better place. My cousins are spread out all over the map. My “movie and Chinese food” buddy is in Ireland, having an awesome travel experience with her girlfriends.

Today, I drove to my office, equipped with a Starbuck’s Americano and the intention of writing some “thank you” notes and editing a piece I’d written about the ongoing impeachment inquiry. But when I opened a semi-soaked edition of today’s LA Times, I read two pieces that moved me from politics and sports into my own humankind experience of the newspaper.

On Page One, I began reading about 95-year old former president Jimmy Carter inspiring the residents of Plains, Georgia…and beyond. President Carter has seemingly kept his hometown alive while also serving the world community. Carter still teaches Sunday School while being an active advocate in supporting the Plains’ economy and social needs with practical answers and a history of problem solving and a love for hometown roots. It’s obvious that “Mr. Jimmy” doesn’t want Plains to disappear (like so many Southern small towns.) The story’s backdrop was Carter’s role as a key world figure in Habitat for Humanity and as someone who has traveled extensively to conduct peace negotiations, advance disease prevention in developing nations and as someone who’s written over 30 books in the process. I have a signed copy of Turning Point…and a handshake from President Carter’s visit to Pasadena and Vroman’s bookstore.

My trip to the Sports Page secured a virtual handshake with new Angel’s manager Joe Maddon. Maddon had a 31-year history with the Angels before landing his first managing job with the Tampa Bay Rays; he also broke the Chicago Cubs’ 108-year losing curse by winning the 2016 World Series’ title. My dad and I had a 15-year history with the Angels, starting from their first ever game to Dad’s passing.

My first awareness of Maddon was in 2002 when he was the bench coach for the World Champion Angels. During his Managing career that began in 2006, I’d observed Maddon was smart, articulate, and funny. A few years ago, when I had nosebleed issues, I spent Memorial Day weekend with a balloon up my nose and a snorkel tube taped to my face. The first morning after, I turned on ESPN and saw a Maddon player explain why the manager and his players traveled in costume during the season. The manager wanted the team to “feel comfortable, not being comfortable.” I immediately left the house and started greeting my fellow Pasadena walkers.

Turns out, Joe Maddon is an amazing humanitarian who not only is involved in making a difference for the homeless and feeding the hungry in every managing location, keeping hometown Hazleton, Pa. alive and well, and addressing pediatric cancer awareness; he’s a leader.

So, even on a cold, rainy SoCal Thanksgiving day, there are memories and there are connections that still touch, move, and inspire and preserve an element of family, and personal emotions that are all about gratitude. Have a great Thanksgiving…all year long.