Paintings Aside

When I was young, I loved looking at art. Like one might expect, I began with representational art and grew to appreciate impressionist art and even a few abstract pieces. For me, art is about feelings and meaning, and when I think about Thanksgiving, I remember loving the Norman Rockwell version of Thanksgiving, entitled Freedom from Want. With table surrounded by family and loaded with food, the painting made me happy. I wanted to be at such a table, to be among such a family. It seemed perfect.

Much to my delight, as an avid Modern Family viewer, they used the Norman Rockwell painting as the basis for their Thanksgiving episode. As a class project, students were told to reenact a famous work of art. Manny, one of the characters in the show, chose Rockwell’s painting and assembled his family around a table. On the surface, it looked just like the painting, but no one was getting along. With plastic smiles, they were fighting through clinched teeth. The photo is taken, but soon the family separates, and it looks like the chances of a perfect Thanksgiving are dashed. However, they all find their way to a local diner where the patriarch is sitting by himself. The modern family is united again, and it is perfect, enough.

One of the challenges of all holidays is giving up the paintings. Advertisers, painters, writers, and musicians create views of holidays that are inspirational, appear perfect, but are unreachable. The gap between the dream and the reality is what causes many pain over the holidays. We gather at the table, but, no matter how hard we try, that seat second from the left remains empty. It’s where (fill in the blank) always used to sit. Despite the discussions in the car about getting along, family members are going to drive us crazy. No matter how crowded our table, in-laws and the occasional guests will make us wonder, "who invited them?"

As long as we hold onto paintings, we’re doomed. If we put the paintings aside and gather wherever we happen to be, with whomever happens to be there, there’s a chance it will be perfect, enough, leaving all assembled feeling thankful, indeed.