by Rose Calder

Created on: November 21, 2009   Last Updated: November 22, 2009

Of the many traditions that surround Thanksgiving - the turkey, the stuffing, the cranberry sauce, the watching of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, the preparation for shopping on Black Friday - one of the most heartfelt among them is the returning home of various family members. After all, Thanksgiving is about family, and so many sons and daughters either book a flight or pile themselves and their own little families into the car and head back home for one more dinner with the family, carting along a green bean casserole or veggie tray with them.

Unless, of course, you're broke. Then you'll be doing what I'm doing this year, which is staying put.

Sad to say, my husband and I just don't have the funds to make the trip out west to gather with our respective families for the last Thursday in November, which is somewhat depressing, to be perfectly honest. I mean, who wants to be stuck at home, far from their loved ones? And to make matters worse, you just know it's going to be another year before you get to have some of your aunt's award-winning cornbread pudding. It's enough to make you want to kick the cat.

However, in these times of need, you can't always get what you want. Things are tough all over, and there is no telling when this Great Recession will end. Pair that with being an adult (or at least passing for one,) and that means that sometimes you just have to put your big-girl pants on and deal with it, even if that means having to miss out on a family gathering and all that yummy, yummy food.

Of course, as a bonus, that also means that you get to miss out on any and all family drama that is likely to take place during the day. You don't have to watch your sister and sister-in-law shoot daggers at one another over the mashed potatoes over some flippant remark exchanged earlier in the day. You don't have to deal with your uncle after he's had one nip too many while outside deep-frying the turkey. You don't even have to worry about accidentally catching H1N1 from those adorable little germ farms masquerading as nieces and nephews, because you'll be at home, several states away. Talk about looking on the bright side of life.

Although, if you really miss the drama, you can always call the house and talk to everyone. The guys might not be too interested, what with the Detroit Lions game and all, but I'm sure you'll be able to talk to enough people to get that warm, rosy feeling of knowing that you missed out on the annual bickering over how to properly roast a turkey.

But if you still feel a little sad about missing out on the Thanksgiving festivities, just remember that you were spared your mom's pineapple Jell-O with the carrot shavings in it. That alone should give you something to be thankful for.

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