Posted on by Angaleena Presley

Thoughts From My Thanksgiving Bed

I’m sitting on the edge of my bed opening a contraption that I’ve been influenced to buy. It’s a sleek handheld device with laser beam lights that are supposed to make me prettier. The dated packaging and the turning of the pages of the little booklet strike a chord and all of a sudden I’m a woman in the fifties reading the instructions to one of those shake yourself to death machines with the big belt that goes around the backside. Turns out, this thing is a miniature version. I rev it up and begin to maneuver it around my jawline in hopes that it will shake my jowls into an oblivion. Point being, I’m spending the night before Thanksgiving vibrating the hell out of my face with a laser beam, wondering why time is a dirty thief. 

Cut to the morning of Uncle Kenny’s holiday. That’s how I’ll always frame it. I hear the rustling of cousins catching up, showing off new babies and boyfriends. I smell Aunt Lola’s perfume and I feel the sting of Mamaw and Papaw’s absence. Uncle Tim says the blessing while Kenny Jr. and I stealthily sidestep our way to the beginning of the buffet. We’re ALWAYS the first in line, no matter the occasion. I pile the offerings of my McCoy family onto my plate with slight reservation as there are sixty people left to feed. Thinking ahead, I go to the dessert table and serve myself up a heaping mess of Aunt Debbie’s inexplicably delicious cracker salad. Some poor soul will wind up scraping residue and crumbs of it from the bottom of a pyrex and it’s not going to be me. I nestle myself between my sister and my cousin Mandy and I sink my teeth into the wonder that is Uncle Kenny’s famous, butter injected turkey. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m safe. I’m home. 

Redirect to what’s actually going on this morning. I’m still in bed. I’m listening to the clicking of keys as I write this post through tears that welled up during the above walk down memory lane. My kids are with their dads and Uncle Kenny is breaking bread with our heavenly father. We haven’t gathered on his day since his passing.

When I was in my twenties, I spent a Thanksgiving behind the counter of the little gas station at the mouth of the holler, selling scratch offs and two liters. I can’t say that I’ve ever spent one by myself. But, don’t pop the top on the pity party champagne just yet. This is a predicament of my own making. I chose, with intention, to abdicate myself from putting on makeup and preparing a side dish. A selection of those ‘friends who would step in front of a train for me” from my last post cordially invited me to their homes. I respectfully declined.

Though the transition from wife to ex-wife has delivered proper throes of solitary loathing, I’m typically, abnormally comfortable being alone. I’m a pro at losing myself to frozen pizza and a good documentary. When the house is still and quiet, the ideas that I collect in the hustle and bustle of my day to day ease themselves into fruition. My guitar gets played and self indulgent songs get written. I don’t suffer from fear of missing out. In fact, I err more on the FOGO side of things, fear of “going’ out. I love a warm bath with a side of staying in my pajamas all day. 

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful that the path I’m on never ceases to provide experience, growth and truth. I’m grateful for a moment of respite from small talk and responsibility. Excited about the incoming Bob Evans Holiday Celebration Platter that I ordered from Doordash, I reel in the convenience of living in Music City. I revel in the fact that after I gorge myself on processed bounty, I’ll go downstairs to fulfill some t-shirt orders from fans who appreciate my life’s work. I’ll do the dishes and pack my bag for Vegas. 

U-turn to my space odyssey 2022 glowing, gyrating face sculptor. It’s a fad that has come and will eventually go, a relic that will die slow in a bathroom junk drawer. In the interim, I’ll gladly draw false hope from new fangled things. I’ll find ways to deaden the blow of middle aged beginnings. This won’t be the last holiday that I’ll spend in isolation and I’m ok with that. I’m confident that I’ll rock them out, fine and dandy like Dolly Parton during a hard candy Christmas. Pain has a higher purpose. I’ll wake up tomorrow, stronger and more settled in my freshly laser beamed skin. I’ll be closer to letting bygones be bygones and farther from the fear of starting over. 

I’d like to invite you to use the comment section to share the ups and downs that graced you this Thanksgiving. No matter your story, your story matters. Tell it to me.

Don’t cry for me Argentina, I’m at peace and I’m mere moments away from a hot date with Bob Evans. Happy Happy Turkey Day to each and every one of you beautiful, beautiful creatures.  

58 Replies to “Thoughts From My Thanksgiving Bed”

  1. Happy Thanksgiving from Eastern Kentucky! Safe travels to Vegas. Can’t wait to see the highlight reels.

  2. Nothing like those Buck Creek holidays! It’s been a long time since the Maynard’s gathered the way you spoke of the McCoy gatherings. This year we had a small dinner at moms. She suffers from dementia now and is no longer able to get out and visit family for the holidays. I really enjoyed reading this. It brought back some good memories of my own. I hope you have a great Christmas Angeleena.

  3. I’m thankful to get to spend this Thanksgiving in Martin County ❤️ After moving to Alabama a few years ago, we’ve not gotten to spend as many holidays with family now. I’m only 3 hours from Nashville now! Love you Ang!

  4. Happy Thanksgiving hey there, Being a divorcee too
    I myself have spent yet another Holiday alone. I lost my momma in 2009, and my daddy in 2013. No children it wasn’t in my cards, what family that’s left can we just say Dysfunctional!! LAWDY!! It is what it is 😁

  5. I am thankful to be able to read your thoughts today, always beautifully written. I am also thankful to be from that small town and to know your cousin Mandy, your aunt Lola, and uncle Kenny. It’s been years since I’ve been back, but I am still somehow connected to that place where we grew up and felt safe. I look at my children today, and I am thankful that they were able to experience the Beauty and the Lovely of Kentucky. Tonight we leave my sisters’ and head back to Tennessee and my cup is full of love and gratitude of time spent with family. The saying goes “the days can be long, but the years are short”. Take in the joy, the pain, the happiness, and the sadness. All are equally beautiful. Love you and thankful you have been apart of my world.

  6. I am thankful for friends who have became family. I am also thankful for your thoughts! They inspire me.

  8. Happy Thanksgiving! I share your joy in being alone. My favorite Christmas Eve ever was by myself. Currently enjoying some solitude before having to go to a family dinner I’m dreading. My grandpa died last year and it’s not the same being at my grandma’s house without him there. He was my favorite person.

  9. I have to say I’ve enjoyed your blog posts so much! Happy thanksgiving! 🦃 I thought it was funny you ended with don’t cry for me Argentina I say that too! 😂 I think of Madonna singing it as I say it also! 🎶🤣

    Thanksgiving hasn’t been the same since Katrina destroyed our home and my grandparents on both sides passed. It is nice to remember the past. I find myself transporting myself around the dinner table to a time long ago often. We try to carry on some traditions such as my grandmas oyster dressing and stuffed mirlitons ! I am more of a baker so I carry on the tradition of spiking the eggnog with some southern comfort 😆 ✌️🥃 I have so much to be thankful for and I always remember a quote by Charles Dickens today “Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Love ya! Have a blast in Vegas! Keep rocking 🎸 & ✍️ writing!

  10. I have spent a few Holidays alone. Today my brother came out to go hunting in the morning before he headed back home for dinner. I went out with him and he seen a few deer but I guess the deer decided they didn’t want to visit me either as I didn’t see a thing.. Once I came in from hunting my brother left and I sat down to watch Lions football. As usual the Lions played well but lost 😞. So then I decided to shower and head up to the restaurant for the turkey dinner special. I am fortunate to live in a small town with a truck stop that is open everyday. Also living in the small town and eating here an average of 3 times a week, I know everyone so it is like an extended family. As a matter of fact I am so comfortable eating here that after my shower I put on my pajamas and came up to eat. Tomorrow I will have my brothers out again to hunt and probably come to the same restaurant for dinner. I am sorry to hear of your divorce but life happens. Someday I hope to see you sing again in a small place like when I first met you back in the days of My Space. I remember driving to see you in Ann Arbor to watch you sing at Nashbash the a few months later at the building that had a bunch of couches. lol That is where I bought your first CD and had you autograph it. Anyway Sorry for rambling on have a great day and I wish you well.

  11. I have spent a few Holidays alone. Today my brother came out to go hunting in the morning before he headed back home for dinner. I went out with him and he seen a few deer but I guess the deer decided they didn’t want to visit me either as I didn’t see a thing.. Once I came in from hunting my brother left and I sat down to watch Lions football. As usual the Lions played well but lost 😞. So then I decided to shower and head up to the restaurant for the turkey dinner special. I am fortunate to live in a small town with a truck stop that is open everyday. Also living in the small town and eating here an average of 3 times a week, I know everyone so it is like an extended family. As a matter of fact I am so comfortable eating here that after my shower I put on my pajamas and came up to eat. Tomorrow I will have my brothers out again to hunt and probably come to the same restaurant for dinner. I am sorry to hear of your divorce but life happens. Someday I hope to see you sing again in a small place like when I first met you back in the days of My Space. I remember driving to see you in Ann Arbor to watch you sing at Nashbash the a few months later at the building that had a bunch of couches. lol That is where I bought your first CD and had you autograph it. Anyway Sorry for rambling on have a great day and I wish you well.

    1. Thank you so much for sharing this. It literally gave me the warm and fuzzies. Simple snapshots of lives are my bread and butter. When my dad was on second shift he used to eat at a a little place called “Country Kitchen” every day before he went in the mines. It’s gone now but the memories are alive and well. I can still smell the bacon grease. I remember you and I’ve always enjoyed your comments on social media. Sorry you didn’t slay you a 10 pointer today.. something to look forward to.

  12. We don’t do Thanksgiving here in Bonnie Scotland, but if we did I think I’d do it your way. Without the face laser tho. Happy holidays or whatever it is y’all say. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸 x

  13. I’m thankful for having a peaceful low key stay at home Thanksgiving! I love your blog! I am also becoming a FOGO🧡🧡🧡

  14. Girl, I just found your blog tonight! I’m gonna ask to borrow that “jowel remover” when you are finished, because I have been scrutinizing my own jowels for about a year. Lol! But seriously, I’m so sorry you all don’t get to celebrate with Uncle Kenny. I’m so sorry for your loss. These past two years have been shit. I feel like I have aged 20 years in just two, but in a good way (I guess?). A lot of stuff put in perspective, etc etc. anyway, enjoy that Bob Evans! Happy Turkey Day!

  15. Happy Thanksgiving . Last year was my sit alone with a frozen pizza Thanksgiving. This year was much better with turkey and all the fixings.

  16. Wonderful read, yes I really missed our traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the farm, being with all our big McCoy family! It was something special, and I always cherished every year! That Bob Evans is pretty good, but not McCoy good ! Have a blessed rest of the day!

  17. Happy solo thanksgiving. I have fond memories of large family gatherings at Thanksgiving, but fast forward to now and I am home alone reviving from a recent shoulder surgery. I miss those days but so many of the relatives are gone. I’m the senior now. Next year I’ll be 65. Blows my mind. There are so many middle and older aged singles. It’s not easy but I’m grateful for the wisdom life has brought and wonder of what lies ahead. Sitting home alone with my dog — what lies ahead? It’s a mystery for me to solve abc find the happy ending to. Best to you and your kindness to be so open for us to ponder, too. Happy Thanksgiving, all, and y’all.

  18. This year was different for me also. We usually have 20 plates out give or take. This year we had three. Between family moving out of state, military base assignments, sick kids and a hurt foot we had a small gathering. But it was still beautiful and I am thankful for my husband and son. We had all the fixings (well maybe not all – I totally forgot about cranberry sauce) and delivered to my sick family and my dad. Since there was just the three of us I tried again with my husband…. Can we leave for Vegas Saturday morning and catch the concert Saturday night?!? Hahahah! He said no. I was so lucky to catch the last concert in LA a few years ago. One of my all time favorites! Last month we did an amazing girls trip to Velvet Rodeo and I would love to go again. Will you be joining Miranda in stage? Because if so I just might have to make that road trip happen! ❤️

  19. Nothing like a good ole Martin County Thanksgiving. I was unable to go back this year. Don’t get to go back much since moving to Indiana. I really miss being home for the holidays. You don’t need a face laser, you look as young as you were in high school. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

  20. Happy Thanksgiving from Texas!! My husband and I went to Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving dinner, ours put on hold because my sisters family is under the weather.. Tonight we went for drinks at a local hotel.. We didn’t have kids so it’s just us…..Sometimes on holidays I wonder about that path we inadvertently chose…buts it’s ok!!

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