To many of you, this is a lesson already learned. The results can be volatile. We had had our share of conflicts at the table in prior years, but then my mother unwittingly invited two additional liberals which shifted the delicate balance of power.
My aunt had barely finished a lovely grace when it began. I don’t know who started it, but within five minutes it had escalated to a level of vitriol previously unseen at our holiday repast. Surprisingly, I stayed out of it which is so unlike me. I believe I was in awe of the other participants and their enthusiasm.
My mother gently chided everyone at first, which went completely ignored by the entire group. It was free entertainment to me…like a staged production for which you pay money for dinner and a show. I prefer musicals, but this was pretty good in its stead.
There was no distracting anyone. They were heavily invested in their tirades and their completely accurate opinions. Over the din, as she held the gravy hostage, my mother screamed, “Will you all just shut up and stop talking about politics?” Finally, in deference to her, my uncle was the first to rise and leave the table, leaving his dinner half eaten. The exodus quickly continued, lest he be seen as the only one with any bit of manners. The Republicans departed for the front porch and the Dems to the deck out back. A good deal of chain smoking was going on, as this was when smokes were still popular.
My mother’s lovely table was half empty…I continued eating. My mother was an amazing cook.
Happy Thanksgiving!
gettysburggirl 