By Cherimie Crane Weatherford
Southerners are known for their courageous spirit, adaptive nature, and unwavering perspective. We have survived wars, civil unrest, a global pandemic, and unprecedented divisive politics. Collectively, we are resilient people; however, specific gatherings still challenge us in the most unique ways.
Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1621, following a year marked by illness and scarcity, setting the tone for what has become one of our most beloved holidays. It is beloved, yet precarious.
Today, conversations around the dinner table can be as unstable as the thin edge of a wedge. Even the slightest opinion shared while passing Aunt Opal’s deviled eggs can sour the mood, making even the sweetest potato pie taste bitter. Families are a microcosm of the broader population with a sampling of all persuasions.
As different as each family can be, Southern families usually follow a specific personality pattern. There is always at least one very outspoken matriarch, depending on her proclivity for violence or words that can burn the skin off a turkey — she is to be handled with the same care given to lighted dynamite. Understanding her microexpressions is a survival skill passed down through generations.
At least one stylishly late woman often arrives, expecting admiration and full attention as she regretfully announces her latest failed relationship. She stays up-to-date on the latest fashion trends and miraculous self-help remedies she discovered on TikTok. Additionally, she can provide a comprehensive list of must-shop Black Friday deals and the juiciest family rumors.
Without a doubt, an uncle will frequently check his watch, asking whether dinner will be served before the big game, as he needs to get home to the only chair worth his warming. He’ll be dressed in a plaid shirt and a vest, wearing an unmistakable air of impatience as his accessory of choice. He is the one to ask about the weather but not about taxes or civics.
We all have a couple overcome by gentle parenting as their toddlers and tweens wreak havoc throughout the house, torment the family pets, and refuse to eat anything with a hue of green. It is best to separate them from the family patriarch and breakable heirlooms. They can quote best parenting practices and the dangers of red food dye without provocation but always have the best wine.
Hidden away from chores and responsibilities, you will find two to three gentlemen engrossed in watching football or hunting shows or sharing stories of their latest outdoor adventures. They excel at evading family drama, children, and cleaning duties. This group is worth observing. Whether their skill is a result of nature or nurture remains unclear. It demands impeccable timing, charm, and the ability to endure disbelieving glares from their wives.
Of course, we all have a casserole of characters sprinkled throughout our family feast, but the general ingredients remain. It’s the holiday where we stuff our faces, push buttons, and understand why some family members live so far away. Learning to navigate this complex puzzle of personalities is a continuous task, strengthening the ties that bind and the drinks served.
Happy Thanksgiving, Beaufort.
Cherimie Weatherford is a long-time real estate broker, small business owner, wife and mom in beautiful Beaufort. She is the Director of Operations and Programs for the Freedman Arts District.
