Make Thanksgiving Happy
It all started with the gravy. Nearly forty years ago, I called my Aunt Bev to learn how to make her giblet gravy by way of a phone call. My late mom, although she was a good cook, preferred décor and table settings to kitchen duty. Gradually, the main courses of Thanksgiving became my labor of love. I cannot even tell you how long I have been preparing the same Chardonnay turkey, or the cherry sausage stuffing! No – there is no way I can wrap my head around letting go of these evolved traditions, even if it is for just one year.
Chronicled description of ‘breaking of bread together’ and ‘sharing of the fruits of the harvest’ date back through all of recorded history. Fostering the provision of nourishment to one another defines us as human and separates us from the animal kingdom. Yet, in this year of 2020 we are supposed to regard this holiday honoring a table of thanksgiving as taboo.
Restrictions. Recommendations. Super spreaders. Unprecedented. Enough already. Fear, just as much as a virus, separates us physically. And I get it. We love those we wish to protect, just as much as we love those that are forced into compliance. How though, do we respect caution, geographical and government restrictions and consideration, while at the same time create a sense of communal blessings when so many of us are unable to be gathered this year?
The good Lord knows that I’m old enough to have weathered life changes worse than this, and I know God expects more of me than to do nothing. What I DO NOT know how to do, is make giblet gravy for less than twenty! With the guest list having more regrets than acceptances I choose to do something positive rather than mourn the empty chairs.
I texted my cousin’s wife “Hey, I will trade you a quart of gravy for a six pack of Coors Light.” Her immediate reply, “Done!” Wow, that felt good and it was easy. At least, if we can’t be together, a part of my love will be included in their toned-down feast. Then I thought, if we can plan zoom meetings to share prayers of thanks, then why in the world can we not trade dishes?
So many families separated by miles this year. What about the foods of tradition they will miss? What about the pies? This is the holiday our blessings are symbolized by food. Maybe exact replicas may not exist, but why not do a substitute this year. Send it. If your local, put it on their porch. Order something special from their favorite restaurant and have it delivered! Food service providers, forced into curbside delivery and catering only right now, need all the help they can get.
And don’t forget the elderly or the health care workers consumed in overtime. Make an extra plate or two, give them a call and deliver it to their doorstep. A home cooked meal, even warmed over, is always welcome. There is an awful lot of people out there that need a whisper of hope.
It may be a different sort of Thanksgiving, but find a way to do what matters. Find the energy in giving love and the joy of gratitude will come naturally. Make this a Happy Thanksgiving.