Why is it that every year there’s this holiday named Thanksgiving, where basically everyone has to say what they are thankful for?

I mean, I just don’t get it. I really don’t celebrate the holiday. Last year I tried it. I invited all my close friends for a Thanksgiving dinner, a feast, and I woke up at 5 a.m. to start baking.

I spent over seven hours cooking, preparing and setting up for the dinner. Since my friends had their own dinner to get to, I made it easy for them.

It was an early dinner at 3 p.m. By 2 p.m. everything was ready, the table was set, the turkey, ham and all the sides were done. I was so excited; I couldn’t believe that I completed all the trimmings and that I was going to have my first real Thanksgiving.

Three o’clock came and I just said, “It’s okay, nobody is really on time.” Then 15 minutes passed. I thought to myself, “I guess it’s okay.”

Then about 45 minutes passed and I called my friends to see if something came up or if anything happened, or if they were on their way. None answered their phones. And then one of my friends called me to say she was going to be late. Two hours later I began to think that they weren’t going to make it.

After four hours of waiting, I gave up hope that they were going to make it. I was so mad. I was mad that I spent a lot of my money. I was mad at them for not calling me to at least say, “Sorry I can’t make it.” I was mad because I let myself go through all the stress and pressure of preparing everything. I was mad at myself because I led myself to believe that I had to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks.

The only thing I think I should be thankful for is myself. I will pat myself on the back. It’s me who keep myself from going on and dreaming. I don’t think I need to say thanks. Thanks for what?

I mean, come on people. Let’s get real here. Thanksgiving, why do we do this? Many people put themselves through stress, pressure and heartache. I mean, come on, we hurt one another by this holiday.

There’s disappointment if the turkey is too dry or burned, if the kids are too noisy, if the family’s pet eats the main course, if one of the adults starts the party before and gets drunk and spoils everything.

You may say I’m petty or cruel but I’m just saying what many are thinking.