This Thanksgiving, Hubby and I were alone, but we didn’t mind. We usually fix a big traditional dinner with turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, and all the fixings. Hubby loves turkey; me, not so much. Last year, we cooked a huge turkey and ate on it until summer, thanks to our freezer.
This year, we tried something different. We went out to eat at Golden Corral. Hubby had his favorite turkey wing; I had steak. He had fried shrimp; I had a very thin slice of white turkey meat with dressing (I love dressing). He had pumpkin pie; I had chocolate chess pie. We were both happy and full, but Hubby misses the leftovers.
As I looked around the restaurant, I was struck by how many tables were filled with two people. Some were obviously couples like us, others were fathers and daughters or mothers and daughters. I was moved by the tables with only one person sitting at it and wondered why they were alone. Was he a trucker that found himself there on his route? Was she unable to go be with family? Would any of them want to sit with us and talk? I didn’t ask them since most were already settled and eating.
Years ago, we had The Thanksgiving With No Leftovers. Our son was in college, and he brought home a couple of his friends who didn’t get to go home over the holiday. Hubby and I baked a huge turkey and all the side dishes and desserts worthy of a feast. I’ve never seen boys eat that much before. They cleaned up most of the turkey, all the sides, and most of the desserts. What was left, we wrapped up and sent it back to the dorm with them. It was one of my favorite Thanksgivings.
I don’t wait for a particular day to be thankful. It’s a daily exercise. I’m thankful to live in a free country, thankful to those in the military keeping me safe where I live, thankful to law enforcement people for keeping me safe in my home, thankful for farmers and ranchers who grow our food, thankful for truckers who bring it to us, thankful for carpenters who gave me a warm place to live out of the elements, thankful for running water and sanitary sewer systems, thankful for the internet to stay in touch with faraway family and friends, thankful for friends who love me, and thankful for my family who I can’t imagine living without. I’m pretty much thankful for everything. Please excuse me while I go give thanks to The One who keeps me in His Hand.