Who Would You Pick to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner With?
It’s typically a given–an expectation, really–that you’ll be joining family around the table for Thanksgiving, and chances are you’re going to have many of the same conversations that have taken place countless times before, so what if you could change things up this year and pick the people to share your meal with this turkey day? If you could have Thanksgiving dinner with anyone–anyone at all (loved one, celebrity, historical figure, artist–literally anyone–living or dead), who would it be and why?
Would you want to see someone who is no longer in your life? Or, would you prefer to dine with someone you’ve never met before who led what you consider an intriguing life?
I asked this question of my friends on Facebook and was incredibly touched by their responses. Read through them below. I think seeing this may get you thinking about what matters before your holiday and may even change the conversation around the table.
Do you know who you wish could be joining you for dinner? Leave me a comment below letting me know who you would love to share your holiday with and why.
- Lindsay I’m sure you know mine. My mom. She loved thanksgiving and I would give ANYTHING to have one more with her
- Todd The pilgrims. Let’ see how it was really done.
- Matt does it have to be one person? I would have Thanksgiving diner with both of my parents. But if it had to be just one, probably my mom. no thought required.
- Patrick My daughter and father, both who have passed away. Just to be able to talk, love and spend just a few more special hours w them. God is Good.
- Mary My grandma !
- Sandy My extended family that we celebrated with as kids. My grandparents would be alive. My uncle would not have the effects of his stroke. My mom would not have the effect of her brain injury. All of my cousins who are scattered would be there. I love our celebrations with my husband’s family.
- Vivian My mom…but I would want it to be a fast forward of what would have been. Since she died when I was 10, I would love to have her cooking in my kitchen, laughing over a glass of wine, while her grandchildren (my kids) played in the backyard.
- Lynn It has always been a dream of mine to host a holiday meal at my home. I’m not close to my family (haven’t seen my dad since my wedding almost 10 years ago) and when we lived close to family our house was far too small to host anyone. Now that we have the space we’ve got no one to host
- Donna My mom and dad. Since they passed 14 years ago I’ve felt like an orphan. It would be nice to not feel that way, if only for a day.
- And now I’m crying
- Sheri My mom! She died my senior year in high school and I would give anything to spend even just a few more hours with her. And thinking about your question Thanksgiving would be wonderful so that I could let her know how thankful I am for everything she did and for how hard she fought for me
- Amy Matthew McConaughey
- Charlsie Lady Gaga because not only is she known as an incredible cook, I think she would be fascinating to have a conversation with. She is someone that has a movement of fans unlike any other celebrity out there and her gratitude for them is so immense – I would love to hear more about that on Thanksgiving.
- Desiree I’m sorry to hit on such sad memories you guys… It’s not what I wanted. I’ve never been a big fan of Thanksgiving, but do remember my cousins coming for dinners (what I remember is we ate on paper plates most of the time, and tossed them, but for Thanksgiving we’d get out the good china and then have soooo many dishes to wash afterwards–and because I didn’t like to cook, I got dishwashing duty)…I remember I didn’t like the food (I will lead up the petition to switch this holiday meal to lasagna any time you guys want)…and the guys did none of the work–just playing football or watching it on TV. But I know this holiday is about being around loved ones and wondered if I was the only one feeling sad about not being with MY family…I love that my children are with cousins and building happy memories for their adult years, and I’m lucky that Shawn’s family includes me, but I don’t share the history of old holiday meals that you can laugh about…so, it got me thinking about who I’d want to invite to sit around a table with if I could pick a list of a handful of people to share a meal with on this holiday. I agree–my dad would be there, but I’d also want my grandmother who I never met–just to hear stories about the life she led, I like Amy’s idea of having Matthew McConaughey there, too… probably Maya Angelou because she inspires some of my writing…and if we’re really reaching, I’d like to have my future grandchildren there so they can see I am super cool.
- Desiree Todd sometimes I think I’d like to be one of the pilgrims…then I think I’d rather be one of the Indians. Which would you choose if you could be one or the other?
- Desiree Matt nope–this is make believe, so you can have anyone you want.
- Todd I’d like to be the guy with the time machine watching the pilgrims and Indians.
- Desiree Oh, and this year, I’d also have Melanie join me because she needs to be reminded she’s incredible, no matter what, and I’d just want to make sure she got more hugs–and wine–than she could stand. Plus, she’s a hell of a cook, and I (as disclosed earlier) am not, and I’d really want her pecan pie.
- Nancy I’d love to share Thanksgiving with Hillary Clinton–just so I could have the opportunity to have a nice, relaxed “girlfriend” chat with her. I’m lucky enough, though, to be sharing Thanksgiving with my two kids–both vegetarians— who decided macaroni and cheese is our new traditional holiday meal! My son makes an awesome one.
- George The wife’s twin brother who past away two years ago
- Ed Family is the group of people you choose to live your life with. That’s who I would have at Thanksgiving dinner (and mostly will)
- Jessica I’d love to have one more Thanksgiving with my Grandmother who passed away five years ago. Listen to her stories and laugh with her. Then try to write down all her recipes that I can never duplicate. But I’d also love to have the chance to sit and share a meal with Pope Frances. His beliefs fascinate me.
- Kelly-Marie Finn. Just to listen to him talk and hear how the late 8yrs have been going and what his favorite color is…and what dessert he would have MeMe make him.
- Melanie If you get Matt to your house I will bring every pie you could ever want.
- Marcia God. I have so many questions for him.
- Cindy My Dad, it has been 8 long years since he has passed and I miss him most during the holidays. His joy of expressing his love to family through cooking during the holidays lives on in me though.
- Sheila My Mom of course! I miss her everyday and knowing her, she has made friends with everyone, Celebs, artists, musicians etc. It would be an amazing dinner!
- Tonia My Grandmas. I miss them both terribly, especially during the holidays. I regret not spending more time with them and talking on the phone with them more when I had the chance.
- Gary Charles Babbage, Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin who all knew one another. Can you imagine the conversation?
- Joey My mom and dad. I wish money grew on trees.
- Sarah My father in law. He passed away 8 years ago. He only got to meet 3 of his 7 grand kids. I would love to ask him if he’s proud of my husband and I, and all we’ve accomplished!! We miss him dearly
- Lori my dad. He died of cancer, I want to tell him i am fighting for both of us
- Lesleigh All four of my grandparents — ooohh the stories they could tell! Howard side about the pioneer era of Vero Beach; Murphree side about growing up/going to college in England and the early days of UF!
- Jennifer Dave Matthews -because I love him:) and of course my daddy and grandparents!
- Dawn my grandfather who died when my mom was one
- Michele My grandmother on my mom’s side. She passed away in 06…after fighting a good fight with lung cancer. I would LOVE for her to see MY home….and how grown my children are…..and the fact that God has allowed my oldest to live past the doctor’s expectations. … (although I’m certain she is well aware)
- Kuleen Gloria Steinham, Anne Richards, & Hillary Clinton
- Martha It’ll never be about just one person for me… Of course my mom, because she always opened our home to anyone who didn’t have family or people to spend the holiday with. I’ve hosted thanksgiving most years & always try to make sure anyone is welcome. It’s a holiday to be thankful, not alone or sad…the more the merrier! Thanks mom, for the lessons to see what all to be thankful for…
- Perla My mom, I would love to have one more thanksgiving with her before she she decided to cut her time short on earth. Perhaps I could have convinced her otherwise.
- Lorrie My dad. This is my first thanksgiving without him. Feeling a little sad
- Heather My mom! I would love to have the opportunity to talk to her as an adult and a mother now myself. I would love to talk to her about us both being mothers of a special needs child. I would just love to be able to see her again. She died when I was 17.
- Leigh I’d like to turn back time to when my son Jeff was well and enjoying the family celebration – when he and my daughter Sue were children happy together and I was in the kitchen preparing for family and friends. Our little family will always feel the deep loss at this holiday and every special celebration as the years move on ~ always saying a prayer in his memory as we do every day whenever our lips enjoy something delicious that reminds us of his joy at the dinner table.
- Veronica My dad…no question. But at least I won’t be alone.
Good point, Veronica…let’s appreciate who we do have with us.
It’s nice to dream about conversations and visits we’d love to have. Maybe the lesson here is to appreciate those we do have near us. Here’s to hoping you are surrounded by those you are most thankful for this holiday!
November 27, 2014 @ 11:36 am
I love this. And love you for starting this dialogue.
November 28, 2014 @ 2:55 pm
Aw…love you, too, my friend.