Thanksgiving Day

Another gloriously bright morning, and I am enjoying a little quiet, before the day begins.  Today is a special day; Thanksgiving day, but  I must confess, Thanksgiving has always been my least favorite holiday.  I am not overly crazy about turkey and all the fixings.  Pie isn’t one of my favorite desserts, and I’m not much of a football fan.  We never had long distance relatives visiting, or siblings that were away at college, or any other special traditions.  To me, it was like a second, sunday…in the middle of the week.

As a family, my husband and I wanted to do something different, so we spent the last few years enjoying Thanksgiving with close friends.  We got to experience their traditions, their foods and company.  It was wonderful.  The food was delicious! And abundant! By the time the turkey and all the fixings were ready, everyone would groan because our stomachs were already full! After dinner, a much-needed walk in the crisp fall air, around our picturesque common.  Then a feisty game of Scattergories, Pig Out, or Sorry.  And no one was exempt from the healthy competition, not even my 7-year-old son, who kept getting “sent home” in a rousing game of Sorry.  And the host would tease, “Sorry!!” with exaggerated sarcasm.  These were special Thanksgivings.

Last year we learned of a community dinner that was going to be held on Thanksgiving, in a neighboring town.  It was advertised as being for the community, donated and hosted by the community.  For anyone wanting to spend Thanksgiving with their neighbors.  So no one would have to be alone on Thanksgiving.  This really struck a chord in me, and I knew it was something we should do.  Right away, I got in contact with the coordinators, and signed my family up to volunteer.

We arrived on Thanksgiving day excited and anxious.  We had never done anything like this before and didn’t know what to expect.  We were greeted warmly and ushered into the kitchen.  Total, organized, chaos! People were bustling in and out, chopping vegetables, washing dishes, bringing in pies.  Turkeys were roasting and potatoes were boiling on the giant, commercial stove tops, steam rising and making the room hot and moist.  We were put to work chopping vegetables, then filling bread baskets and setting tables.  When the hour approached for our “guests” to arrive, my son and I volunteered to be door greeters.  Our job was to be smiling faces, encouraging people to sign the guest book and directing them to sit at the nearest available table.  My husband volunteered to pick people up who didn’t have any transportation to the dinner, and then bring them home.

It was an amazing experience.  Emotional for all of us.  The smiling, appreciative faces.  The joy at being in the company of so many others, such a diverse population, with the same goals.  To celebrate Thanksgiving being thankful.  Thankful for the wonderful dinner.  Thankful for the amazing people who volunteered their holiday to make someone else’s special.  Thankful for the smiles and joy and appreciation from the guests.  It restored my faith in our community.  It restored my faith in myself and my family.  It changed the way I feel about not only Thanksgiving, but all holidays.  I know that this is what is right for my family.  It was the best Thanksgiving I have ever had.

I am looking forward to seeing all these amazing people again today.  I am happy to chop, and wash and set tables, serve food, greet guests.  I am looking forward to visiting with my community, and share in the joy of the day.  The simple pleasures of a good meal made by many hands and the company of new and old friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!