I just heard that the 94th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was cancelled and will be held virtually. The Rose Parade was cancelled as well (we can talk about that in January). But, but, ………the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was cancelled!! When I think back to Thanksgiving growing up, I think of the rivalry football game being played at the local high school, (we rarely won but we had high hopes each year) and coming home half frozen and frostbitten to the smell of the Turkey and other savory delicacies of the season wafting through the air. But always, always, there was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on the television subtly playing in the background as if it were hiding quietly waiting for attention.
What caught our attention were the enormous balloons, the high school bands that had longed to be invited to this stellar event and of course, the whipped cream on the pumpkin pie; was Santa Clause. It was Santa’s arrival that marked the beginning of the Christmas season. The feeling of his impending arrival 15 minutes before the end of the parade was palpable throughout living rooms and across generations throughout the country. When he arrived until the ending goodbyes of the Masters of Ceremonies, we were locked in our own visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads. As Santa and Mrs. Clause (if she was up for the long journey) waved goodbye, our focus turned to our other sense, the sense of smell. That blessed smell of turkey and all of his trimmings on slow roast in the oven.
Although the traditional foods may still be plentiful over the holidays, how many people will still be traveling over the hills and through the woods to join grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins? Many are crying, “it just won’t be the same this year!”. The announcement of the cancellation of the Macy’s Day parade came from Governor de Blasio where he said, “it will not be the same parade we’re used to.” But he promised, “they are reinventing the event for this moment in history and you’ll still be able to feel the spirit and the joy of that day on television, online.” Macy’s executive producer, Susan Tercero, stated that the Macy’s Parade is their love letter and gift to the city of New York and the nation so this cherished holiday tradition must go on.” (Deadline.com September 14, 2020 author of article Greg Evans).
What can we take away from all of this, the cancellation of cherished traditions, the family table possibly looking different this year? We can take away the idea of new traditions, maybe marking this year with pictures in the album where we learned a dose of gratitude for what we still have. Gratitude for the people who are working hard to try to salvage normalcy, whatever that may look like to you. There are to be lessons to be learned in all things and it is our attitude that will make this very unique year one that is remembered with love or one that goes down in the books as one of the worst.
Why am I talking about this in the October newsletter? Because if we are going to start new traditions, we need to begin early. At Peace 2 All Beings we are committed to helping you find peace through the transformation of your mind, body, and spirit; now might be a good time to jump on board. Let’s get started!
Namaste,
