Our very talented creative writing team has written a really good Thanksgiving skit or one-act play, AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. This skit can be read below or you can download a Word version. We are hoping that other churches will want to use it and in return we ask for a love offering for Unity of Mesa, plus that you let us know when and where it is performed.
One Act
by the Scribe Tribe
(Gerry Klaverkamp, BeAnne Lane, Linda Roujon, Jenifer Tull-Gauger)
Special thanks to Mary Vokral
of Unity Church of Mesa
2700 E. Southern Avenue
Mesa, AZ 85204
(480) 892-2700
www.unityofmesa.org
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Grandpa (Henry, 60’s to 80’s, acts as narrator, spirit)
Susan (granddaughter of Henry, daughter and middle child, 16 years old)
Bessie (Grandma, Grandpa’s wife, 70’s to 80’s, spirit)
Aunt Sarah (60’s to 70’s, Bessie’s sister, spirit)
Richard (grandson of Henry and Bessie, eldest son, early 20’s)
Linda/Mom (daughter of Henry and Bessie, in her 40’s, Rob’s wife, mother of three children)
Rob/Dad (Dad, Linda’s husband and the father of their three children)
Bobbie (grandson of Henry and Bessie, youngest son, about 12 years old)
Uncle (Aunt Sarah’s husband, 60’s to 70’s)
Jan (a neighbor, adult, could be changed to a male role if necessary)
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
©2006
TIME: The Present, Thanksgiving Dinner, Late Afternoon.
PLACE: A Family Dining Room.
FRONT: GRANDPA stands, facing congregation. In the corner SUSAN stands and pouts. Lying in bed or sleeping in a chair on the opposite side of the stage (in Iraq) is RICHARD. A large table is at center stage, set for dinner for six. At a second table, the spirit table, (a smaller table between the large table and SUSAN) sit GRANDMA and AUNT SARAH.
GRANDPA
(Faces and addresses congregation.)
Hi there, my name is Henry, more importantly known as Grandpa. I invite you to join me as I travel dimensions and time to be with my family for Thanksgiving dinner. You see, I made my transition about 15 years ago, but I still enjoy checking in on the family, especially around the holidays and when they hold thoughts of me close in their hearts. This is my granddaughter, Susan. (Walks over behind SUSAN) She was knee high to a grasshopper when I passed on. That’s part of why she and my wife, Bessie, her grandma, were so close. (Indicates or places a hand on GRANDMA’S shoulder, she smiles up at him.)My sweetheart here, and I reunited a couple of months ago when she passed on. This is her sister, SARAH.
(AUNT SARAH waves to congregation.)
(LINDA/MOM and ROB/DAD ENTER, walk out to sit at large table, they gesture and talk together, but we don’t hear them yet. BOBBIE ENTERS behind LINDA/MOM and ROB/DAD, slowly & sullenly. The three sit at the large table.)
This is my daughter and her husband Rob, our hosts today, and their youngest son, Bobbie.
(UNCLE and JAN ENTER, walking to the table together, miming chatting - we still don’t hear the living.)
Here is Sarah’s husband, and Jan, who’s single and alone this Thanksgiving, visiting from down the street.
(GRANDPA walks over to RICHARD)
(RICHARD sits and looks up at GRANDPA)
And over here is my grandson, Richard, who is deployed in Iraq. He’s safe under God’s protection, and is with his family today in spirit.
RICHARD
(Rises up and sleepily, groggily takes a few steps toward GRANDPA. He is dreaming.)
Grandpa? Is that you?
GRANDPA
Yes, my boy, I am always with you.
RICHARD
Why can I see you? … Am I still okay? I’m not dead am I?”
GRANDPA
You’re fine, Richard, You’re dreaming, fella. I just wanted you to join your family for a while. And I want you to know I’m very proud of you.
RICHARD
Thanks Grandpa, it’s great to see you.
(RICHARD sleepily sits down off to the side of the table on a step or a chair. GRANDPA seats himself at the spirit table.)
LINDA/MOM
(Speaking to SUSAN.)
Susan, come join us at the table, we’re ready to eat.
SUSAN
I’m not hungry!
LINDA/MOM
This is Thanksgiving … we always eat together…. come at least and sit with us. And eat a little.
SUSAN
I just want to stay here…I’m comfortable.
LINDA/MOM
Please Honey!
(SUSAN moves to the table.)
SUSAN
Well I am here…. but I don’t have to like it.
LINDA/MOM
What’s wrong Susan? This isn’t like you…what is going on?
SUSAN
Oh Mom…I just can’t…I miss Grandma too much…This is our first Thanksgiving without her. It’s just not the same. Sorry, but I really don’t feel like having Thanksgiving dinner this year. I mean, I don’t feel at all like celebrating. I’d rather just go to my room and play some music.
LINDA/MOM
Oh Honey, Grandma is still here with us in Spirit.
GRANDMA
(Speaks from the spirit table.)
You’re damn right I’m here!! I never thought I would be…but here I am! … At least I don’t have to cook!
AUNT SARAH
Oh Bessie, you loved Thanksgiving and cooking! You loved sharing your special pumpkin praline pies.
GRANDMA
That is true…but I had taste buds then!
SUSAN
Grandma was so funny…she made everything fun.
LINDA/MOM
That is true…I miss her too…we all do. (OTHERS at large table nod) Why don’t you carry on Grandma’s legacy by smiling and laughing and having a good time, like she always did.
GRANDMA
Right on Mom…that’s my Baby Girl.
AUNT SARAH
Bessie, she is no baby girl! She is a grown woman.
GRANDMA
She’ll always be my Baby Girl!
SUSAN
Well…I do think Grandma would want me to be happy.
(GRANDMA gets up and gives SUSAN a hug.)
Mom! I think Grandma is here…it felt like she just gave me a hug.
(GRANDMA puts her hand on LINDA/MOM’s shoulder.)
LINDA/MOM
I believe she is here. I feel her presence too. Shall we say grace? Mother-Father God, we thank you for all our many blessings, for love to share, for good food to nourish us, for the freedom to live and worship as we choose, and for the support of our Unity congregation. And we want you to know that although we miss our absent family members, we thank you for all the special times we’ve had together. Amen.
ALL
Amen.
ROB/DAD
Our Thanksgiving tradition is to go around the table, and each share what we are grateful for.
SUSAN
I’ll go! I’m thankful for last spring for my sweet sixteen party with all my family and friends. That was a blast.
GRANDMA
That was fun to see all the family together. That was my last big party before I kicked the bucket.
GRANDPA
And you were dressed up, and as always looking beautiful, old girl, and making everybody laugh.
UNCLE
I’m thankful that the Cardinals have had a winning streak in their new stadium. (or mentions applicable sports reference)
(OTHERS laugh)
JAN
I’m thankful that Rob and Linda invited me, and you all let me join you today. Last year Thanksgiving was Boston Market and X-Files re-runs. Not to knock Boston Market, but home cooking and the company of friends just can’t be beat.
LINDA/MOM
Well, I’m thankful today for the help I had in preparing this meal and the time we spent together in the kitchen, complete with the singing.
SUSAN
That was fun!
BOBBIE
Well I liked the music but I am not too sure about the singing.
(OTHERS laugh)
ROB/DAD
I’m grateful we are all here, in good health and with food on the table.
LINDA/MOM
But our son, Richard is not here. He’s in Iraq. (LINDA/MOM bites her lip and gets teary) But I’m grateful that he’s okay.
(RICHARD looks up – at family attentively, and moves to stand behind them.)
ROB/DAD
Sorry Babe, I was afraid that if I mentioned Rich, you might cry. Anyway, I’m grateful that he is tough and savvy…and that God has blessed Rich with a great heart.
RICHARD
I am grateful to you, Dad, for all you did and tried to do in ‘Nam. Now I’m in a position to help these folks get back on their feet. The schools and hospitals we’ve built are helping to do that.
LINDA/MOM
I fear for him, but I thank God he is our son, and his heart is a loving spirit in action. They’re lucky to have our boy over there!
BOBBIE
I am not grateful! He’s over there and they’re trying to kill him and each other. Everyone is trying to kill everyone else. What’s there to be grateful for?!
ROB/DAD
When I was in ‘Nam, just as with Rich in Iraq, it was tough! You never knew who was friend, who was enemy. One thing I learned later is that people have a Divine Spark that enlivens them. They all have the freedom to choose love and life, or to choose hatred and death. Depending on how those choices are made, sometimes we have to take action. But I am grateful that we all have that choice, that freedom.
UNCLE
And it’s people like Richard, and your dad, who are willing to sacrifice for this country and the people they love, who have helped give us that freedom.
ROB/DAD
I am very proud of our son. He is serving our country in order that we can have the freedom to choose life and love and to have this wonderful meal.
(ALL nod)
JAN
(holds up glass)
Let’s have a toast, to Richard!
ALL
To Richard!
(ALL toast)
BOBBIE
Okay, I’ll be thankful too, for my brother’s sake. I’m grateful for the harmonica lessons he gave me. Now when I play the harmonica, it’s like Rich is with me.
RICHARD
I am with you Bro, in spirit. Keep practicing. I expect you to be an expert when I get home.
(Returns to bed/chair and settles back down to sleep in Iraq)
SUSAN
I say the Prayer of Protection every night for Rich. You know prayer helps!!
LINDA/MOM
I give thanks that we are all children of God - even the warring people and the terrorists.
Let us give thanks for the Divine Spark in each of us. And now, pass the potatoes!!
(ALL at table one pass the dishes and serve food, miming chatting.)
GRANDPA
(Rises and walks to front, addressing the congregation. As Grandpa talks, BESSIE and AUNT SARAH move to stand behind the living at table one.)
We taught our daughter well. We are all children of God. And, hey…sometimes we forget that; all of us do. Let’s give thanks …and recognize, love and nurture the Divinity in us all. Let’s all join in the Prayer for Protection. (ALL join hands and join in the prayer with the congregation.) The light of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. The power of God protects us. The presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is. Amen.
(Stage lights go out, ALL EXIT.)
PROPERTIES AND COSTUMES
Army-type Blanket (Pillow optional)
Cot (optional) or Chair or Stool for Richard
Large Table
Small Table (Spirit Table)
Candle (optional) for Spirit Table
Dishes and Centerpiece on Table One (actors may carry some out with them when they first enter) Drinking Glasses for all people at Table One
Clothing for Richard that Suggests Military (possibly Desert Camouflage Pants and Plain Tan or Black T-Shirt)
Spirits’ Clothing is Typical Thanksgiving Wear but White and/or Light Colors, can be Flowing Dresses or Blouses for the Women.
Other Actors Wear Regular Thanksgiving or Church Clothes (Colors, no white.) |
