In the morning we drank coffee and read the papers while watching the Macy's parade on TV. Around 10:00 we rolled up our sleeves, washed our hands carefully, and started cooking. As opposed to the usual sturm und drang somehow we remained cheerful and mellow, even at the peak of kitchen activity. I remained mindful of my need to control everything when cooking, and Manuel kept his cool even when I forgot and nitpicked.
The family arrived mid-afternoon, boisterous and cheerful. There were no squabbles among the kids, no family drama amongst the adults. The food was delicious and after dinner, those who didn't cook cleaned up. Later on, some neighbors stopped by for a glass of wine and a second dessert. And then I watched Notting Hill, the Hugh Grant film du jour.
So really it could not have been more perfect, a Thanksgiving just like that Norman Rockwell painting.
The source of all celebration comes from within, from a welcoming frame of mind that miraculously every one of us shared yesterday. The perfection of the festivities helped me see it's not about the food, not even so much about who you spend the holiday with, but rather has everything to do with the way in which each individual encounters the energy of the day, how each person synchs that energy with his or her personal expectations. I believe I would have been just as content to eat brown rice and veggies while watching movies on my own. My holiday frame of mind has shifted from hostile to welcoming; I have experienced a true change of heart. The way I celebrate, even the company with whom I share my celebration, is not the key to a happily observed holiday.
My grudge against Thanksgiving is over, I am healed. Thanks, God. Thank you so much!
16 comments:
We had the smallest Thanksgiving ever, just Marc and I and our son and DIL. Son and I did all the cooking so it was mostly the two of us in the kitchen with DIL wandering in now and then. I really enjoyed it.
Usually we have much larger gatherings at Marc's mom's or my sister's, but the year has been full of challenges for the family this year and no one had the energy for a large gathering so we did small, intimate ones and life is good.
A terrible cold left me feeling awful during Thanksgiving but I had a commitment to cook and so I did very carefully. Even though I don't feel well this Thanksgiving I noticed the general happiness that floated at my table from the people around me. I am truly thankful for the healing love of my family and friends.
Yaay! I think that when the walls of expectation come tumbling down a person is able to more fully experience and enjoy I think. That looks like quite a feast you had yesterday. The table is giving off such a warm and welcoming vibe.
It's quite the hump to get over, isn't it? I arrived at the same conclusions more or less myself this year. It's your energy. I heard a chain saw buzzing this a.m. and thought "Another dysfunctional Thanksgiving aftermath?
http://washingtoncube.blogspot.com
Aho!
Your table looks warm and inviting.
Oh! I see in your side bar that Purest Green won the prize. Congrats to her/him? With Shadow overseeing the drawing process, it looks like the contest was held to the highest standards. How fun!
that looks like a sumptuous spread, yummm. We celebrated with family and our tummies ached...Toby mooched bits of turkey and when no one was watching a plate of nut roll cookies! Otherwise he was a delight for his first holiday.
Happy holidays!
reya it's so cool to see you accepting the goodness of goodness. no matter how simple or commonplace it is. so cool. steven
Reya,
I am glad that you enjoyed Thanksgiving. The holidays can sometimes be more trouble than they are worth but I find that if I keep hold of what is important (as I see it anyway) then all is well with my world. Blessings to you.
Glad you joined your roomies family. I'm certain they were too (glad for your joining them).
I enjoyed the thoughtful reframe of where the pleasure in holidays comes from.
And that looks like a very inviting table!
What a gorgeous table! So glad you enjoyed the holiday.
Living with gay men is so cool. A beautiful table is almost a guarantee!
Thankful for you all!!
That is a beautiful table. Don't look now but there is a ghost in the mirror!
yeahs so the passing of grudges!!
Merle, that is Manuel, my roommate. There are ghosts in the house but I've never seen any of them in the mirrors!
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