Thanksgiving has been my favorite holiday for as long as I remember. The scalloped corn at Grandma Gowdy’s, my mother’s gravy, as a young adult, setting the table with my good Blue Willow dishes. Small children, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents galore.
I also remember eating till I felt sick, getting tired of being the oldest cousin because I had to sit at the kids table when I wanted to sit with adults even though they asked questions and sometimes didn’t really listen to the answers I gave.
It seems impossible that all that is in my past, never to be experienced again. None of the houses I remember celebrating in are still standing. They are all gone.
Children and grandchildren and relatives are in IL, Northern and Southern CA, NM,, CO, AZ, NV.
Thanksgiving is still my favorite holiday but now I look forward to it for different reasons. It’s the beginning of a few weeks that my normal routine is disrupted.
I will write Christmas cards to family and do it in stages ignoring my usual cross it off the list mentality. First, address the envelopes. Then put on the stamps. Then add a note. And for some, add a check instead of wrapping a package and mailing it. It’s a big job but if I get a head start it will be less stressful but good.
It seems that everyone else is so busy that they are not available so I have lots of time to myself. I just ordered a book to read over the holidays.
I plan to spend time by the fire as we have a new gas fireplace that puts out heat and looks beautiful.
I could be sad that I’m not going to see my children and grandchildren and great grandson. I actually am sad. But not sad enough to travel and possibly get stranded. I find that it’s possible to feel sad and happy at the same time.
So if you are going to be with family – enjoy every minute knowing that someday this will be a memory. Make it a good one.
And if you are going to be by yourself or just with one other person, enjoy every minute because you are alive. I plan to do lots of reading, some writing, a little organizing of my desk, and napping.
I hope you discover ways to entertain yourself during the next few weeks.
IMAGE: Say hello to the Guardian who is currently in the garage as the deck she presided over was not in code and had to be demolished. If it weren’t for the murky smell, the Guardian would be presiding over my office. Stay tuned for Guardian returning to the scene.
