Thanksgiving
Grateful for each hand we hold
Gathered round this table.
From far and near we travel home,
Blessed that we are able.
Grateful for this sheltered place
With light in every window,
Saying "welcome, welcome, share this feast
Come in away from sorrow."
Father, mother, daughter, son,
Neighbor, friend and friendless;
All together everyone in the gift of loving-kindness.
Grateful for what's understood,
And all that is forgiven;
We try so hard to be good,
To lead a life worth living.
Father, mother, daughter, son,
Neighbor, friend, and friendless;
All together everyone, let grateful days be endless.
Grateful for each hand we hold
Gathered round this table.
Thanksgiving, friends. Think on what you’re thankful for. Write it down. Light a candle. Say a prayer.
I think about Thanksgiving in my life. It was always a favorite holiday. When I was growing up It was a time for gathering. When we went to Grandma and Grandpa Atwood’s Lakehouse… oh, I can picture so clearly walking up the steps and into the door where a delectable smell of turkey wafted to us. The wait for the meal, looking out the windows and the gorgeous lake. Nibbling on cheese and crackers. Sitting on the floor in the living room, scratching Nichoa Secundus, the black standard poodle, behind the ears. The kid’s table, and turkey with all the fixins. Thanksgiving in Fredericktown, Missouri was different, but no less joyful. Turkey roast, cranberry jelly and chopped salad (chopped and chopped, remember, Mom?). It was always The Lake or Thanksgiving at Fredericktown. I don’t remember Thanksgivings at home.
After the passing of that generation, of grandparents, Thanksgiving shifted to the next generation. Mom and Dad host a marvelous Thanksgiving. And after I married Nathan we also had Thanksgiving with his folks, and when everyone moved out to New Glarus we had Thanksgivings at Brian and Jodi’s farm, or the grand carb party as I christened it. Glorious carbs! Potatoes, dumplings, two kinds of stuffing, rolls, turkey and the works… ahhhhh. Those Bubenzers know how to whoop it up. For the Last few years I had to work Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I had Thanksgiving at home with Nathan. I enjoyed the intimacy of our Feast which Nathan always made.
Nathan and I have not really hosted Thanksgiving for family. Mostly because our house is small, but that’s a poor excuse. After Covid had passed I vow to host more holidays here in Madison. We did Easter once, with grilled legs of lamb from Sunflower Hill Farm and my side of the family. But we have not hosted Christmas or Thanksgiving. Not terrible Hygge of me… I need to step up my game! I guess I feel anxious when people are in our space. My housekeeping used to be really embarrassingly bad. Now I am a better housekeeper and the house can be put into decent shape in hours versus the days it used to be.
All is academic this year. This year I am hosting a Zoom call for my family at 3:00 PM CST. 1:00 PM PST for Sam. If any of my family, on either side, would like to join us in that call please send me your current email address so I am sure of the right place to send the invitation. It is far more important to stay safe this year than to gather. If you gather this year, you may lose people you love and not be able to gather next year. Zoom is a good option. Do not listen to anyone that says it’s all right to gather. Carefully weigh the pros and cons if you are considering it. I think the right thing to do, to distance and mask and just gather electronically, will be the right answer for any thoughtful, reasonable person.
Nathan and I are planning an obnoxious food feast for two. Nathan will make a turkey, which we got because Hy-Vee had a deal, buy a ham get a turkey; and I have done my part by ordering delicious sides from Hy-Vee! LOL (I’m not a great cook, but I can order food with panache).
Happy Thanksgiving to my friends and family. Much love to you all. Tell me your Thanksgiving plans in the comments below.
