This Thanksgiving Will Be Better Than The Other

This Thanksgiving I have vowed WILL be better than the one I attempted to fix when I was 24 years old.
That Thanksgiving, my mother had to work the morning shift at the hospitol and asked if I could begin preparing things while she was at work. My family and Stephen were going to present for the dinner..
Now, I had never in my life cooked a turkey before. Didn't know where to begin, but it couldn't be THAT difficult....right???? Wrong... Wrong....Wrong..
I arose that mornning and began my morning routine of that time. Pain pills and eventually mixing with slow sips of alcohol. "O.k....feeling good and ready to tackle that turkey."
I washed the turkey,placed it in the preheated oven,slapped some seasoning and butter on it and said..."Ok...done." Stephen came into the kitchen to see if I needed any help, but I had THIS under control.
I fixed some macoroni and cheese,stuffing (Stove Top),Mashed potatoes,Gravy,Opened a can of Cranberry sauce, and after removing the turkey, baked a frozen pie.
I had a hell of a time figuring out when and if the turkey was ready. But, finally I thought it was done.
I set the table while Stephen,my dad and the others were all in the living room. I thought to myself. "I am so proud of me...I have just fixed an entire Thanksgiving dinner...by myself.
Mom arrived home shortly and we all sat down to the table. Everyone remarked how great everything looked. I was on cloud 9. Every year, my father is the one who carves the turkey. So, he began carving. Eventually, what appeared to be burnt paper began to surface from the turkey. My father said "What is this?"
Stephen and everyone chirped "I don't know." Finally my father looked over at me and said "Jesus Christ Ronnie....please tell me that you took the brown bag out from inside the turkey?!?!?!?!?"
"Brown bag???? What's that??" I said. Stephen said "Ronnie honey.....there is a brown bag inside the turkey that contains the giblets and the neck. Didn't you grab that out when you washed inside the turkey?"
I was puzzled. "I didn't stick my hand inside the turkey ass...that's just nasty."
My father sank down into his chair and said "This goddamn bird looks like a fuckin' autopsy." Looking at Stephen he said "Son..if you are planning on staying with my son and depending on him to cook food for you....you are gonna starve I'm afraid." They both laughed.
My mother looked over at me and said "It's ok baby.....I'll fry some chicken."
I was soooo devastated. I had worked so hard to fix a great dinner. I didn't know they shoved a brown paper bag of gook up a turkeys ass after processing.
Now....This thanksgiving I am cooking and..... I am prepared and sober. But I could still use some prayers from everyone.