my thanksgiving has looked quite different throughout the years, but the ones in california have been very different. the past 2 years rusty has come out to see me, to spend a few days with me so i would not be alone on thanksgiving.
time in san fran…time with the cousins.
but this year it didn’t work out since i was unsure about my work schedule.
i had no plans until earlier in the week margit facebooked me to ask if faisal and i wanted to come over for thanksgiving. it was an invitation i gladly accepted…
to be around friends,
to be around a family (although not my own),
to have more of a thanksgiving like i was used to (more southern than most around here),
and to be around those whom i enjoy sharing life.
it began as my time with margit usually does…meeting for a workout at runyon.
not quite the normal thanksgiving when most are at home sleeping in or getting the turkey in the oven..but the way the two of us like to spend our days off.
i was going over to margit’s later in the day but i had to get my pies ready before making my appearance. as i was preparing the sweet potato casserole, i talked to the family…all of them. it began with a phone call to mom to see how her day was progressing. then onto dad’s house where the rest of the family was gathered. such a blessing to be able to talk to everyone in just one call. if just for a minute, it felt like i was actually there…yet not.
rusty had called earlier so shortly after i got off the phone, i checked my voicemail. he had called with a funny message but one that said he missed me.
and i missed him.
i missed mom.
i missed dad and anne.
i missed grandma and ralph.
i missed uncle lamon and aunt grace.
i missed talk around the table.
i missed hitting both houses to spend time with both sides of the family.
i missed all that was familiar.
i missed dressing.
i missed mom’s sweet potato casserole…since i knew the one i was making wouldn’t be like hers.
i missed helping out in the kitchen.
i missed conversation.
i missed no alone time.
i missed a day full of those who love you and you love…those who know you best.
and i realized i was alone.
alone in california.
alone on thanksgiving.
alone in my kitchen.
alone baking the pies for the day.
alone.
and i felt alone.
i felt alone even though i would shortly be around people who know me well here.
i was still alone.
yet as soon as i stepped out of my car in la canada, i felt it.
i felt more at home.
i felt i belonged.
i felt loved and wanted.
i felt surrounded by people who love me and i love…and who know me.
i felt welcomed.
i felt a part.
and even though it didn’t look like any other thanksgiving (as if most of mine have been the same), it was a time to give thanks for blessings received and those to come, to be thankful for those surrounding us, and to remember those not in close proximity for which we are thankful.