Who Do I Want at My Thanksgiving Table?

By C.L. Beck
© 2007

On October 24, 2007, one of our bloggers, Connie Hall, posted a blog titled, “Who Do I Want at My Dinner Table?” If you didn’t get a chance to read it before, you can find her thoughts in the archives at http://ldswritersblogck.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html .

My interest was piqued by what she said, and I tucked the topic into the back of my mind as a subject for a blog of my own. Normally not the serious type, I try to snatch—no, I did not say “steal”—good ideas as presented by deep thinkers. And this seemed like a topic to save for a holiday—a time when even the most jovial blogger is expected to say something profound.

If those aren’t reasons enough for abandoning jocularity—at least for the moment—there’s one more. I’ve broken my elbow in a weird bicycle accident. No doubt I’ll write about it at some point in the future. For the present, though, it seems my funny bone must have been bruised as well because most of the words coming out of my mouth for the past two weeks have been, “Ooo, ouch.”

But I digress—on to the five men I’d be like to seat at my Thanksgiving table.

George Washington: I’d take the opportunity to thank him for being a man of courage, one who stood by his beliefs and founded a fledgling country that, in my opinion, is the best on the face of the earth.

Abraham Lincoln: I’d express gratitude to him for his honesty, loyalty to the Union, and kindness and compassion. I’d like to have the chance to tell him how much I appreciated him keeping our nation intact.

Joseph Smith: Few people have endured the abuse, torment and torture that he did and maintained their integrity. I’d like the chance to—in typical LDS fashion—shake his hand and thank him for being an instrument in the Lord’s hands and in restoring the fullness of the gospel to the earth.

C.S. Lewis: I’d like to chat with the man whose books inspired me long before they became popular movies. I’d like to thank him for a land called Narnia, a lion named Aslan and for the way in which they touched my heart.

Jimmy Stewart: There are few actors that I admire, but he’s one. I should have sent him a note while he was alive to express my appreciation for his talent and the wonderful ways in which he used it. But, I didn’t and I would love one last opportunity to thank him for making me laugh in, Harvey, making me cheer in, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and making me cry in, Mr. Krueger’s Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you. May you have a multitude of things for which you’re grateful!


What books C.L. recommends:
Life is Like Riding a Unicycle by Shirley Bahlmann
Publishing Secrets by LDS Storymakers (BJ Rowley and others)
Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction by Jon Franklin
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Rennie Browne & Dave King

View C.L.’s other work:
Newspaper Column
Photography Website