BJ gets quote of the day.

"Why doesn't your mom just hand out a script for everyone? That way, she'll be happy with what everyone says."

This was prompted by the following scene at the Thanksgiving dinner table:

Mom: RisibleGirl, I know you don't like to do this, but we're going to do it anyway. I want to go around the table and have everyone say what they're thankful for.
Me: OK, how about I go last. Then I can say that I'm thankful that this is all over with?
Mom: (ignoring me) I'll go first.
Me: (thinking, oh hey, there's a big surprise. She's wanting to set the 'tone'.)
Mom: (goes on for what seems like hours about church and family)
Mom: Ok, who wants to go next?
Son #2 (Casey): I knew we'd have to do this, so I came prepared
Me: (feeling shamed that I've raised such a suck up.)
Casey: I'm thankful for my new truck.
Mom: Casey! Don't you have anything more meaningful to be thankful for?
Me: (kicks hubby in the shin as an acknowledgment of how much I really hate being there at that moment)
BJ: (ignores me)
Casey: Well, it's been a bad year for me. I've had everything taken away from me. My job, my car, my apartment. Then a really nice lady gave me a truck for free. I thought that was pretty neat.
Me: (proud that Casey stuck up for himself) I think that's just wonderful honey. You have had a tough year, it's great that you can find things to be thankful for.
Mom: Well, there is his family, you know.
Me: (thinking, arrrrrgh! I hate this stupid tradition.)
Mom to my hubby: How about you go next?
BJ: I'm thankful for that my dad pulled through the aneurysm last year. I'm thankful that I am still able to spend time with him.
Me: (thinking) me too.
Mom: (to dad) Ok, we'll skip over RisibleGirl for now. You go next.
Dad: (apparently used to the idea that Mom has ideas of what she wants to hear) Now are you wanting us to go all the way back in time like you did, or is it just this year that you want to hear about?
Me: (snickering to herself go dad!)
Dad: Well, I'm thankful that (hubby) is a part of our family now. I've never seen RisibleGirl so happy.
Me: (rubs hubby's leg in total agreement)
Brother #2: (just like the good boy mom raised him to be) I'm thankful for my family and for the church.
Mom: (nodding head in pleasure that Bro2 followed the script)
Mom: Ok RisibleGirl, it's your turn.

I was thinking in my head of all of the things I'm thankful for but couldn't say them because it'd upset my mother that she wasn't on the list somewhere. I was thankful for hubby's wonderful parents, parents that I connect with much more than my own. I am soooooooooooooo thankful for hubby. He is the most amazing man I've ever met. I'm so thankful for my sister; who also happens to be my best friend and soul mate. I'm thankful for my brother's (even the one who follows Mom's script. He can't help it.) I'm thankful for my dad. I'm blessed with two boys that I adore (even though one is a suck up apparently). I have quite a bit to be thankful for. Instead I chose the one unemotional thing I could think of, yet still be honest.

Me: I'm thankful that I still have a job after so many layoffs this year.
Mom: Is that all you're thankful for?
Me: Can we stop now? If we can stop now, then I'll also be thankful that we're done with this.
Mom: pissy for several minutes.

All of the people I thought about during my mini moment of silence know how I feel about them, because I tell them every chance I get. If only my dad knew. I may have to send him that letter after all.