Gobbling Thanks

I’ve been trying to imagine what it was like back in 1621 at the “first” Thanksgiving.  William Bradford and the Pilgrims threw a celebratory feast that lasted 3 days and was attended by an unlikely union of religious separatists and Native Americans.  A great bounty after a year of death and suffering and I can barely imagine how thankful they were to not only have the food, but the welcoming and knowledgeable company in the new world, as well.

Today, we chose the fourth Thursday in November to mark our day of Thanks and we are serious about stuffing not only our birds.  I’ve learned a lot from the National Turkey Federation…   Apparently, approximately 736 million pounds of turkey were cooked on Thanksgiving in 2009 with an estimated 88% of Americans bellying up to the turkey bar.   That’s a whole lot of bird.    I’m sure the turkeys this year will be equally gobbled.  President Obama will pardon one tomorrow (http://washingtonscene.thehill.com/party-events-pictures/archive/7175-the-national-thanksgiving-turkey-meet-and-greet) but that is the lucky one that gets away....

I am looking down the barrel at a relatively small Thanksgiving this year, but my Thanks and excitement for the day is undiminished.  I love to cook and this day was made for me in the kitchen.  I’ve already cooked a pumpkin cheesecake, caramel sauce, and made my croutons for the stuffing.   Tomorrow will bring another pie and some veggie prep.  Thanksgiving, itself, will bring a fried Turkey this year…   The deep fried delicacy originated in the south and it seems the south has found me.  I am not in charge of the turkey frying, but am looking forward to the spectacle.  I am happy to be an audience for the bird while whipping up the potatoes, cooking up some sides, baking the bread….     I can smell it already and it smells delish.

I will be thinking over the next few days of all the things I am thankful for (above and beyond just the food).  My struggles and hurdles are nothing like what the Pilgrims experienced, but sometimes I lose perspective.  Work stresses, people problems, travel trials, money matters…. The list of things that distract me from the good in my world is embarrassingly prominent too often.  It is a good reminder, this Thanksgiving, that there is a cornucopia of things to really be thankful for, too.   I look forward to reminding myself of those things as I embrace the harvest the next couple of days.  I expect my Thanksgiving will last at least 3 days.

Cheers and many thanks to the many of you.