I awoke Thanksgiving morning feeling so very sad... mostly about my mom whose condition is precarious. Tears there were also for my older daughter and the hell she’s been through in the last three years since her marriage began to dissolve just as her belly began to round with child. Now, that amazing girl-child is two and a half and the light of all our eyes, and the adults in her life are working things out as best they can while remaining level-headed, and, short of getting back together, honoring the needs of this astonishing, bright, articulate woman-child.
Gratitude came fast behind my tears Thursday morn as I realized the house was full of people I love. Both beautiful daughters, the amazing grand daughter and her father who braved awkward moments by showing up and being present - truly present for the entire three days they all stayed.
Grudges are far too heavy to carry into the holidays. Making expansive gestures of celebration is more our style. My husband and I LOVE Thanksgiving. We feel blessed beyond expectation and comprehension. And so we proceeded, with the help of all on hand, to assemble a feast for thirty-seven family members and friends.
Two Turkeys, Broccoli with Butter Sauce, Organic Corn Pudding and Bread, Velvet Crunchy Garnet Yams, Rice, Mushroom and Pine-Nut Casserole and Chocolate Cream Pie with Gingersnap and Crushed Walnut Crust.
One daughter made Dairy Free Pumpkin Ice Cream and Molasses Cookies, the other made her famous Chocolate Chip Cookies. One of my brothers made Mashed Potatoes, the other brought two Hams, Collard Greens and a Pumpkin Pie. My sister-in-law brought Rice-Krispy Treats, Saltine Cracker Stuffing and my brother-in-law made his fabulous Rosemary Bread. A friend brought a Spinach, Pear and Parmesan Salad, a Sausage Side Dish and another home-made Pumpkin Pie. Another friend brought a Trifle made in a huge bin complete with a shovel to serve it. We had Caramel Fudge Brownies and Apple Pie. Red wine and White wine. Guests of all colors. Toasts and laughs, magic and music.
The blessings of play-time and talk-time, of laugh-time and tear-time all whetted our appetites for life in the year to come.
Feasting, it seems, gives a light-hearted Razz-berry to the Fates which sometimes serve us bitter fare.
May the coming year be the sweetest yet for you and yours.
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