Thanksgiving food and giving thanks

The Holiday season begins for me when Autumn is in full color.  For that is when I sense the magic (Narnia magic, you know) that God allows for us in this fallen of worlds.

One cannot be surrounded by leaves on the trees and a carpet on the ground in various shades of red, gold, yellow, chartreuse, orange, and green without one's mind thinking it is quite amazing.

From that week until the New Year, I find myself living in another world.  Oh, there are some years I admit that I just want the calendar to skip from October to the frigid month of January.  Those have been the years of crushing loss or disappointments, far more than one thinks the soul can handle. 

In those years I have usually tied on an apron, played the Christmas music, and put on a smile as a form of spiritual warfare to show the enemy he will not win.  Perhaps a battle here and there... but not the war.

So once most of the leaves have been raked and moved to the forest in the wheelbarrow, it is time for Thanksgiving.  This year, I have already made a list and checked it twice.  Actually, checking it twice is the first thing on the list!

Thanksgiving is the perfect Holiday for the foodie in us.  It is all about tradition (even if it means the beginning of new traditions), and family (even if family is your circle of friends), and... food.

There have been many changes in eating habits over the years.  For instance, I still smile when I see pink Himalayan sea salt on the shelf and jars of kimchee in the produce section of my Midwestern grocery store.

But on Thanksgiving for most of us... it is all about the food from our childhood.

We were blessed two or three years ago to begin the new tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving with our daughter-in-law's family.  We love them as if they were truly family.  So once again this year, I am making the traditional turkey meal with everyone else bringing additional side dishes and desserts.

I am well aware that it is a blessing to have one child living near us.  There may come a day when Mr. & Mrs. Christopher move elsewhere to follow his career but for now we enjoy them living close.  And think of our family in New England as they celebrate traditional Thanksgiving, which I am certain will contain a touch of Italian influence.

After Thanksgiving, the boxes containing the look of Christmas will be brought into the house from the garage.   With Thanksgiving  being late in November this year, I was almost tempted to begin the decorating early but decided against it.  Instead I have been listening to Christmas music on CD and Pandora and watching Christmas movies on TV and DVD.

This year I am thoroughly into Christmas, unlike the blah seasons of the past few years.  The Empty Nest Syndrome is behind me and the next season of life has now squiggled around a bit and fluffed up some pillows and made itself comfortable.  It took awhile.

I don't know why but this Season I feel the need to celebrate.  To decorate with all the beloved items and ornaments.  To cook and bake.  To read His Word each morning by the light of the Christmas Tree.  I am looking forward to all of it.

What has changed?  Well, not the circumstances as chronic illness and limited income continue to be challenging.  But this year there is more joy and ummm... hope.  It is my attitude that has changed quite definitely.  For that is, when you think of it, the gift we can give ourselves.  

So meet the Season head on with grace and candles and hot beverages and a good food and your favorite Christmas music and some wonderful books of the Season and a movie or two and most of all... time spent talking to the Birthday Boy.  For that is the gift He desires from you.