Thanksgiving is almost here, and I couldn't be less thrilled. The only part of Thanksgiving I like is my mama's cooking. The fun for me starts and ends at chicken and dressing. Thanksgiving is my least favorite major holiday for a multitude of reasons. I'm not comfortable with the history of Thanksgiving, but besides the holiday's origin, I just don't like having to congregate with my family over a huge meal and then sit on the couch all afternoon. Seriously, what's there to do after stuffing yourself besides passing out in a recliner?

When it comes to the origin of Thanksgiving, we all know how the story goes. According to elementary school textbooks, the first Thanksgiving celebration occurred in 1621 when the Pilgrims and Native Americans feasted together after a successful harvest. Squanto, a Native American, taught the Pilgrims how to fish and grow corn, easing their adjustment to the New World. That's a really nice story, but how can we celebrate this part of history without thinking about, oh, I don't know, Native American genocide? I'm not comfortable celebrating a holiday based on the relationship between colonists and Native Americans because of the way Native Americans have been treated in their own land ever since Europeans settled here. Ahem– Trail of Tears, smallpox blankets, reservations, etc.

Aside from the principle of Thanksgiving, I just really dislike the festivities. To be brutally honest, I really don't care to make small talk with people I haven't seen all year. How many times have you had to endure a tense Thanksgiving dinner with your family? It happens to everyone, and there's no way to avoid it when you have that many family members together. Inevitably, someone pushes someone else's buttons or rub them the wrong way, and it's all downhill from there. For me, Thanksgiving isn't worth the anxiety that it gives me.

So, sorry if your favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, but it's just not my cup of tea. Maybe if I was more into family gatherings then I wouldn't mind it but for now, it takes a wing and a prayer to get me through Thanksgiving. On the other hand, I'm set on go for Black Friday shopping as soon as I recover from my Thanksgiving food coma.