...that should not be indulged in lightly

Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.  

 MFK Fisher

There is something about sharing food and tradition that nourishes more than just our bodies. I'll be one of those 41 million Americans who travels more than 50 miles from home to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. According to AAA, the average trip by car is 214 miles, and it is a fact that the airline industry counts it as the most traveled holiday season of the year, every year.

But how many of us will be truly thankful for what this year is, and be aware that next year may not be the same?

My daughter called yesterday to discuss her potatoes au gratin and caramel apple cheesecake. But her grandfather, for the first time in her life, won't be with us at our table.

I'll be taking the holiday sweet potatoes, a spinach or broccoli salad, and another dish I haven't yet decided on.  And of course, we'll have the turkey and cornbread dressing and gravy and fresh greens and pumpkin pie and chocolate pie and pecan pie and fresh cranberry sauce and a corn casserole and....and....and...

But one of my sons will have to work, and won't be with us at our table.

And the beloved aunt and uncle and cousin will be somewhere else  for the first year in all the years I can remember.

Even though we protest if one of the traditional recipes is altered, or even worse, doesn't  make an appearance at all, we know it is not about the food. It's about family and tradition. So let us not enter into this special day without deliberate consciousness and mindfulness. Let's make it "...an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly."

We must remember we do not know what next year will bring.  We must take nothing for granted. Let's be thankful for our families and friends, and for each individual who shares the day. Let's remember our soldiers, and the homeless, and the unemployed.  Let's pray for those who don't have a place to go.  

And when we pray, let's make it an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.

Labels:  Thanksgiving, MFK Fisher

Thanksgiving
MFK Fisher