Ronald Davidson
clinked his glass to get the attention of the fourteen people seated in the
large dining room. The conversations stopped and all eyes turned toward him.
Holding his glass of white wine, Ronald stood up and addressed the entire group
from the head of the long table.
“It’s such a
blessing to have you all here today,” he said. “I can’t remember a Thanksgiving
when so many relatives and loved ones were able to join us. I
know we’ll all remember today for the rest of our lives.”
The members of
the Davidson family smiled and looked at each other adoringly. Even the
children were touched.
“Now,” Ronald
continued, “to keep with our family tradition, it’s time for us to go around
the table and say what we’re thankful for this year. And since nobody ever
likes to go first, I’ll start. I’m thankful for my beautiful wife, my loving
children, this house that has blessed us for so many years and for the
Baltimore Ravens, who are going to whip San Francisco this evening.”
The family
chuckled and Ronald sat down. His son, William Davidson, stood up from the seat
on his father’s left side.
“I have to say,”
said William, who had his father’s eyes and his mother’s nose, “I’m also
thankful for my family, and to have grown up in this house. And I’m thankful
for my job and my beautiful fiancée Vivian.” Vivian, in the next seat, blushed
as he said it. “But I’m especially thankful that the San Fran 49ers would never
let a team from Baltimore humiliate them on their way to the playoffs.”
The comment
garnered a few more laughs. William took his seat and Vivian started to stand. Before she could move, however, Ronald was out of his chair again.
“One more thing,”
said the father. “I forgot to add that I’m thankful the 49ers quarterback has
never lived up to a challenge like Baltimore’s fourth-ranked defensive unit.”
He sat down and
William got back up.
“Well,” said
William, “I’m thankful that I’m smart enough to realize the Raven’s linebacker
sucks so bad that he hasn’t had a sack in three games.”
Ronald jumped up
before William could sit down.
“Well I’m
thankful that I’m not some west-coast-hippie-loving slacker who thinks a kicker
who had two field goals blocked last week should even be on the team!”
“Well I’m
thankful I’m not a narrow minded, conservative old fogey who supports a
linebacker who can’t even walk across the field—“
“Ahem,” said a
meek voice from across the room.
The voice was subtle,
but it silenced the two men. Everyone turned to look at Great-Grandma Davidson
sitting in her wheelchair at the far end of the table. As the oldest member of
the family, she held the respect of a king. Her frail figure leaned forward as
she struggled to speak.
“Ahem,” she said
again. “I just want to say that it’s a wonderful blessing to see all of you
together. I’m 96-years-old now, and my health has been declining, so this will likely
be my last Thanksgiving. I hope everyone knows how much it means to me to see that
you all love each other.”
The faces around
the table turned back to Ronald and William, who still stood facing each other.
Both of the men now hung their heads low.
Ronald spoke
first. “I’m thankful I have a son who’s not afraid to stand up to his foolish
old man.”
William gave his
father a light punch in the shoulder. “I’m thankful I have a tough dad who
taught me how to stand up for myself.”
“Aww…” said
voices around the room as father and son hugged. Both men were a little
teary-eyed when they finally sat down.
“That’s so
sweet,” said Great-Grandma Davidson. “Now it’s my turn. I’m thankful the
Green Bay Packers are going to kick both of your asses to the moon when it
counts.”
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