Celebrate Thanksgiving: Tradition vs. Convenience-Ruth’s Way May Not Be the Best Way!

Ruth

Voluptuous that is the word to describe my former boss and brief friend of six years.  Ruth was beautiful, dark hair blue eyes, small in stature, maybe 5’ 4″, an abundant hourglass figure. Always dressed to impress, shorter skirts, kitten heels and colorful.  A smile of pearly whites surrounded by red stained lips; lipstick promptly reapplied several times throughout the day.  She was my first mentor, to a point.  I never really danced as heavily on the flirtatious side like Ruth.  I knew her when she was on her second marriage to her husband’s best friend and former co-worker. She had three teenagers, two sons and a daughter.  If you knew Ruth you knew she spent every Wednesday and Saturday at Ruby’s Lounge.  She may have actually been the stereotypical lounge lizard, always seeking attention. But in the workplace, she was fabulously jolly, and very sophisticated.  She spoke softly, smiled deviously, touched gently.  I will always treasure knowing her for she taught me the importance of always investing in expensive shoes.  They will always add confidence to any walk and sophistication to any outfit.  The clunky shoes of today, short boots, platforms, they just don’t seem sleek enough to show sophistication or professionalism.

Ruth also had a very practical side, she never cooked Thanksgiving dinner.  She was guaranteed to feed her children pizza.  Ruth spoke of Thanksgiving weekend being the one long weekend of the year. Ruth truly wanted to enjoy this time. Ruth couldn’t be bothered with working extra hard on a meal. She didn’t want to see it being devoured in fifteen minutes by the men in her life.  That statement made me a little sad. I love the camaraderie of the family gathering and preparing a meal together. I enjoy working along side of my family to clean up together to collapse in exhaustion together.  I can not imagine a day when I just order a pizza for Thanksgiving!  I hope I never have to!

But for all of the decent shoes I have owned, I thank Ruth for that. I walk in confidence most everyday.