First of all, allow me to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Even if we are locked in (or not) and suffering COVID-19, there remain many reasons why we can be grateful. No matter the circumstances, cultivating gratitude can help one overcome all the crazy stuff that’s happening. As I sit here writing, I can’t help but be grateful for my family, my work, and so much more.
Reflecting on Thanksgiving Gatherings
Doug Johnson points out there are benefits to small family gatherings this Thanksgiving. All those little annoyances that family brings, or getting meals ready to be eaten (gee, I washed the dishes after those massive family meals…so glad I can skip that). He cites a few in his blog entry, encouraging me to take a moment to reflect on past thanksgiving celebrations.
When your parents are gone, your children have flown the coop, you are left asking, “Why bother?” Why put so much effort into the meal, etc. It is at this moment I’m reminded of a parable I read in a Jewish book of stories. I’ll save that story for another day, but let’s say, when you have everything, that’s when you start to wonder about those that don’t. Isn’t that interesting?
Small Family
Since I grew up in a small family (my parents and I), I grew accustomed to small gatherings. The meals I miss will be good for me now that I’ve moved into middle age. Let’s see…
- sweet potato casserole
- delicious orange marmalade glazed ham
- turkey, dressing and all that
- corn
- mashed potatoes
Of course, if you throw in all the other add-ons that my wife loves, then there just isn’t enough stomach to house all the food. With declining appetites, I’m less likely to want to eat as much as I did when I was 20 or 40.
For the two of us who remain at home, rattling around in our house, it’s all going to be shipped in or delivered (Bill Miller’s BBQ has great plates…one plate makes TWO meals for me). A part of me almost can’t let go of wanting to get all the food, even though there won’t be anyone around to eat it. That’s part of the fun, of course, but now that we’re cooking for two, making a ton of food is pointless. Worse, it’s wasteful. My wife points this out to me every time I long for those big family celebrations before “Empty Nest.”
Thank goodness, my gluttony is ended at long last.
Grateful
Now, as I reflect on the peace and quiet of being at home on Thanksgiving during COVID-19 pandemic, I’m grateful for:
- I have something to eat, even if I can’t eat a lot
- No one I know is sick (or worse, suffering alone in the hospital or dead).
- I’m grateful that my family is healthy
- I can take a nap, read, or exercise.
- Having time to be by myself
I’d do a lot to have my children at my table this Thanksgiving, close family, and I guess most people would as well.That last slice of pie…there’s no one to split it with, no reason to feel guilty, no reason to eat until I pass out. All that’s good, I guess.
That’s it, I’m not reading any more Doug Johnson blog entries.
Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure
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