If you look back to my Thanksgiving story of November 17, 2007, you will share all the nostalgia of my childhood holiday. It was another lifetime. There have been many hills and valleys traversed since then.
Today this longtime retired teacher muses on thankfulness.....and it seems somewhat bleak.
Like hundreds of other lucky Fairfieldites, I am thankful for the basics of life.....a place to lay my head at night, clothes to cover by body, and food on the table...or on a plate that I can balance on my lap. I am no longer in charge of the kitchen.
I know how fortunate I am that my son is here to lend a hand: though verbal battles oft ensue over the most minor issues. It seems to be the generation gap between his youth and my aged interpretations of how things should be. I am thankful that we can disagree...then find a level place to land.
I remember the grand Thanksgiving family celebrations at Grandfather's house down in the country; I wish he could know how it was. Telling about the hunting, the laden dinner table, the kid adventures, and the ambiance never truly infuses the holiday spirit in him. Now it is “Where can we drive for a memorable holiday dinner...like we used to do”...to the coast when his dad was with us...or just some place miles away. I really don't want to face the traffic.
When we discovered there was not to be a community Thanksgiving Dinner this year.....oh, how we had enjoyed the holiday dinners at the Senior Center for several years...we went shopping to prepare our dinner at home. There will be a veggie salad (he makes very tasty ones), turkey with stuffing, sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream topping. It will be a great dinner...a lot for which to be thankful.
We will miss the camaraderie we experienced at the Senior Center...and the variety of pies for dessert. Sometimes there would be a turkey sandwich in a bag to take home. The feeling of friendship in that room made the day and the dinner very special.
At this house...this year...we are giving thanks for home, health (such as it is), and the joy we receive from our two beloved kittens...Baby and Buddy. We have much to be thankful for...but for me it was so much easier when I wasn't in the drivers seat..... which is being pulled out from under me an inch at a time.
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