Had my family over for Thanksgiving last week, including 3 grand kids all 6 years old and under. My town home is small, and getting everyone in at the same time is, let’s just say, challenging! Never the less, they all came, side dishes and kids in tow to fill up my home for a few hours. I prepare the big items, turkey, gravy, and at the very least a 3 generation old stuffing/dressing side that it’s just not thanksgiving unless we serve this. No oyster dressing for us please.
My table and dining room was filled with love, laughter, big appetites, and most importantly, sharing a meal with family and friends. In this day and time, we as a society have gotten away from sharing a meal at the table with family. This fast paced life we lead now has no time for pausing for daily sustenance. We no longer cook like we used to, always trying to fill up our 24 hours with as much “stuff” as we can and food is often an afterthought now because we know we have more choices than ever available for a quick meal. Sitting, pausing, at the family dinner table is a priceless treasure. Filled completely up from dinner, turkey coma setting in, the kids were getting restless. I live in a forest literally filled with all the things that come with a forest.. trees, squirrels, and tons of leaves this time of year. I have a nice hill out my door that is always covered in leaves in the fall.
We released the kids outside to run and get energy out and we were casually walking to where they were playing. My son ran back to me and asked if I had a cardboard box and I just happened to have one that had not been recycled yet. He cut that box open, gave those kids the new “sleds” and you would have thought they were sledding in snow. Simplicity, in fallen leaves and a simple cardboard box, that provided thrills and fun for the kids, and laughter for those of us who grew up with the simpler things in life, like just playing outside creating our own fun.
This Thanksgiving, pause, be grateful for those you love, share a good meal, and laugh like there’s no tomorrow.
