Give Thanks

I found an article on MSN that highlighted Thanksgiving at Grandma’s throughout the ages.

In 1958, Elvis was in the army, Americans were learning to fall asleep in front of the television, and hula hoops were the new craze. American Express cards were new, and you could put your hotel cost ($9.91) and gasoline ($3 for ten gallons) on that fancy piece of plastic. Turkey dinner for 10 would have been around $6.72, and the total cost for the holiday would be $19.63. In 2008 dollars, that’s equivalent to $146.71.

1968 was a time of national upheaval. Riots, war talk, and assassinations peppered the year, and many Americans “approached Thanksgiving in the hopes that the worst was behind them.” Dinner for ten had jumped $1 in the past decade. Gas was up 40 cents, and hotel costs had increased by almost $6! The total cost would have been around $26.80, which is equal to $166.34 dollars in 2008.

In 1978, disco has effectively taken over the world. “Grease” is the word, and “The Love Boat” is a distraction from increasing negativity. Unemployment is sky high, inflation is in the double digits, and President Carter’s Airline Deregulation Act left many disgruntled travelers found themselves facing “massive consolidation, free-market pricing, and the prospect of paying $7 for a pillow.” Turkey dinner for ten is now $15.50. Ten gallons of gas costs $6.70, and hotel rooms are $34.90. The total holiday cost is $56.89 ($188.47 in 2008).

Things weren’t too shabby in 1988. Prozac hit the market, and radio waves were blaring, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Turkey dinner is $26.61. Ten gallons of gas is $9.50. Hotels are $54.32, and the grand holiday total is $90.43. The cost in 2008 dollars would be $165.11.

1998 sees the rise of “Goth Culture.” MP3 players allow travelers to tune out fellow passengers, and in a hint of things to come, Google is founded. Turkey dinner is $33.09. Ten gallons of gas is $10.60. Hotels are $78.62. Total cost is $122.31, or $161.99 current US dollars.

In 2008, gas prices have surprisingly fallen from above $4 per gallon to less than $2 per gallon. Recession seems imminent, and there is a great deal of speculation that holiday spending will be extremely low this year. Many families are opting to stay closer to home. For those still traveling to Grandma’s house, turkey dinner is $44.61. Ten gallons of gas is $22.24. Hotel rooms are $106.93, and the total holiday cost is $174.20.

After an early Thanksgiving at my grandparents, I listened to my grandfather talk about price in relation to earnings. When he was a kid, movie tickets were five cents...but five cents is a steep sum when mowing lawns only earns you twenty-five cents. When my great-grandparents purchased a refrigerator in 1937, they didn’t know how in the world they were going to scrape up $5 a month. Papa went on to say that the time he felt he got the most for his money was during the 60s. He was making $4 an hour, and that $4 seemed to stretch farther than at any other time in his memory. It’s interesting to note that post-feast Americans were falling asleep in front of the television as early as 1958. On Wednesday night, our family will pack up and trek 282 miles to Grandma’s house. I don’t know what turkey dinner will cost, and I will purposely ignore the money spent on gasoline. The most important aspect of Thanksgiving is togetherness. The ability to come together as a family and share traditions that have been passed down for generations.

I have so much to be thankful for, but I have been too caught up to notice. I have family who loves and supports me unconditionally. I have beautiful children who give the best hugs and kisses in the world. I’m married to my best friend. I have friends who drop in at odd hours in an attempt to save my sanity. I live in a country of freedom. I have a roof over my head, food in my pantry, and a job that pays the bills. But beyond the obvious, I’m thankful for the ability to feel...to see... There are so many things that are taken for granted. I can hold a cup of coffee in hands that haven’t forgotten how to grip. I can stand on my own two feet without assistance. Even when I am sad or angry, I’m thankful for the ability to feel emotion.

I hope that everyone has a safe, happy, and enormously blessed Thanksgiving.