Eye On Annapolis

From The Classroom: Turkey Day Edition

Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 at 11:11 am by Seth Perry in COLUMNS, From The Classroom

When we were toddlers, still learning about fundamentals such as the alphabet and not eating fertilizer, the concept of Thanksgiving was unknown to us. Frankly, it scared us. The wafting aromas of pumpkin pie, turkey, sweet potatoes, and other delicacies lured us slyly into the kitchen, only to have us be surrounded by a forest of legs that we were certain had not been in the house before. Foreign hands reached down to pat us and cuddle us and look at us and wonder how old we were. Instead of shyly holding up three fingers, we ourselves would wonder when these people were leaving.

When we were a little older, though, making our way through the ranks of grade school, we welcomed those strange visitors.

I mean, come on. They brought presents.

When we got to middle school, we stopped caring so much about presents (although we didn’t have much of a choice; that was also the time they stopped bringing them) and began to realize the true meaning of the holidays–togetherness, seeing friends and family you haven’t seen in years, and coming together to share a meal and celebrate your blessings.

Now we’re in high school and we’re back to wondering why all these strange people are here and when they’re leaving so that we may retire to our room and listen to Justin Bieber (I have never liked him. I blame him for the fact that I am single. I blame all teen heartthrobs for this).

We are also wondering when “My, look how you’ve grown,” became by far the most overused phrase in the English language.

But goshdarnit, even if these people ARE forcing me to emerge from my room, and even if they ARE talking incessantly about their child’s Boy Scout achievements and making me feel like less of a man, they are my family and I love them (Scientists are still attempting to figure out whether this is a natural attraction or whether it stems from the fact that they brought me presents in those earlier years). I will sit around a table and eat with them. I will partake of more turkey and sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce than is recommended, even for a growing boy.

And I will be thankful.

After all, Annapolis, we have a lot to be thankful for this year.

We have a new mayor, Josh Cohen, who will bring change to our wonderful city.

We have a new, $16m rec center.

We have quality high school sports teams (either that, or we have a newspaper that lies about the championships won by said teams).

We have crab cakes (and always have had them, but they’re still worth a shout-out).

And (tangent alert) we have homes.

Homelessness–it’s always been a problem, especially in Annapolis, and with recent foreclosures, it hasn’t gotten any better.

Last Saturday, I attended Fannie Mae’s Help The Homeless Walkathon in Washington DC. Walking for an organization called New Endeavors by Women (which helps homeless women to get up on their feet and get jobs), I met some great people who are doing some great things to help the 12,000 homeless people in DC.

As we enjoy our turkeys and stuffing and mashed potatoes, we ought to think about them–and as long as we’re stuffed and in a festive mood, we ought to give them some help.

High school students of Annapolis, I’m talking to you here. We’re the leaders of the future. We’re young, we’re ambitious, we’re enlightened, and we need to make a difference.

Maybe starting an activist group or organizing a march isn’t for everyone. I understand that.

But you could at least give those organizers money.

If you haven’t bribed your cousin to put whoopee cushions under everyone’s chairs with it, or had it stolen by your other cousin who’s practicing up for Oliver Twist, why not consider giving or becoming involved?

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Tags: Annapolis, Anne Arundel, fannie mae walkathon, homelessness, thanksgiving