Glorious Gratitudinosity

Sitting here in a quiet house, save the sound of the dryer tossing around damp clothes and towels. Two candles are brightly burning on the pass-through between the kitchen and the dining room that tomorrow will be the portal through which full dishes will come and empty ones will go. Scents of Warm Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie wax waft through the air at the moment. No fat or calories in those babies, that’s for sure. Can’t say the same about tomorrow’s offerings, although I can wave my magic wand and offer the food reiki in the hopes that it could zap them away.

Tonight I will start the first few dishes in prep for the gathering of the tribe for Thanksgiving. Interestingly, none are blood relatives. My sister will be with her kids, my cousins with theirs. My 25 year old son came to our family when he was nearly 5. This self taught chef who loves cooking shows and making his own concoctions, will be doing most the cooking. The other folks around the table will include his girlfriend and her 2 year old son, as well as dear ones who have become family of choice over the past 30 years. As I anticipate my full house, I gaze into a cornucopia of emotions which include effervescent joy and deep sadness. The first part is recognizing how blessed I am to have such good souls in my life. They have been there come what may in the face of the joys and sorrows, the celebrations and the chasms. Some I know hug to hug and others heart to heart if not in person. Many are cyber connections, but no less treasured. Others are no longer in body and their love surrounds me as if a warm fleece blanket. As I am typing these words, I happen to have a raspberry hued fleece lap robe around my shoulders that had been my mother’s shortly before her death nearly 2 years ago (11/26). In that year, it fell the day after Thanksgiving, so the holiday will forever have that connection for me.

In spite of that, I know I have a great deal to appreciate. My list is ever expanding and I recognize them every day. As we go around the table, sharing what it is we are thankful for, I will share some of these.