There's a Thanksgiving tradition at some of the gay bars in the Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA, areas, where they put out a grand spread for everyone who happens by. It made for many a good Thanksgiving for der B and myself, since it was basically just the two of us and our kitchen was a disaster - the oven never worked.
One year, we went over to the Crest, our neighborhood hangout, and discovered that something had been forgotten. Somehow, whoever had co-ordinated the feast had neglected to include pie! We dashed across the street, to the Food4Less, which was thankfully still open, and purchased something like a dozen pies, which we brought back to the bar. Everyone was much happier because of that.
Here in Delaware, that kind of tradition simply cannot take hold. Because of the blue laws, you cannot just have a bar. The bar has to be attached to a restaurant. So, naturally, no one sets out a spread for everyone to enjoy. The places are either closed for the day, or have a special Thanksgiving Dinner for which you have to pay a special Thanksgiving Dinner price. It just isn't the same.
Instead, I have a new Thanksgiving tradition. I work.
Yep, I make sure that I'm scheduled to work on Thanksgiving Day. This frees up the day for someone else so that they can spend it with their family, which is a good thing. And I quite enjoy the day. There are customers who come in for their pre-made dinners from the Deli. There are others who have forgotten something and need whatever it may be last minute. There's the husbands who have been sent by their wives to get something from the store (a great way to get them out of the house and out from underfoot).
And there are those who come into the store because there's no place else to go, and every other place is closed, and the store is one of the few places where there are people and you can just linger and, at least for a little bit, not be alone on this day where being with family or friends is the only advertised option offered.
And on Thanksgiving Day, by working at the store, I can be there for them. Because I remember what it was like, before I met der Brucer, when I was living alone and what friends I had had all left to be with their families and the only place I could go was to the bar, where they had a spread.
We're closed on Christmas Day, the only day of the year when we are closed. I prefer Thanksgiving.
