I dont think it has happened for me in a really a very long time, maybe since they were little, but this week I found my self smiling while trying to fall asleep. I was not drunk, did not feel loopy on any medications, and had had a relatively sane day. Considering that it was a major holiday, Thanksgiving, it was really a very nice surprise to me.
First off I have to say that the decision to request and receive a personal day on the Wednesday before the holiday was a gift. I was able to relax, visit Wegman's early in the morning with a friend, shop and dance and laugh and hug old friends who were also filling their carts. It was fabulous. When I got home and began the preparation for a low key dinner I knew that it was going to be ok that it would only be 3 out of 4 of us at the table. My simple menu was prepared well in advance and the prep was relaxing. Lots of fresh food and nice weather along with not having to hurry up and get somewhere was rather calming. I do love to cook, a trait that runs in my family from generations past to the younger ones, so it is a joy to put together a meal. I even sort of baked (pear crisp is baking, right?).
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is always fun, I love to see the musical theater numbers from Broadway and listening to the silly banter of the hosts is traditional, too. It has to be on as the turkey is popped into the oven. Luckily for me, Mike calculated the time it needed to roast. I try every year to figure it out and it takes me twice as long...I am a language arts person after all, not a math guru. This year's bird was huge for 3 folks...20 pounds! We were all set for Shane and Brutus.
Now, people who know him will understand that there is real time and there is Shane time, much like Island Time, so getting the table the food and the guest here and ready all at the same time can be a challenge. Thanksgiving miracles do happen, my friends! Shane was actually ready to come at the right time and called to ask us if he could bring a guest. Knowing we had more than enough to share I set another place and we welcomed May to our home. I love that we were able to share with her since she was not able to get to her own home this year. Both our guests were cheerful and helpful and hungry; even if they did make fun of the gigantic turkey! It was lovely and low key; very different from the uber large Macaluso dinners with dozens of loud people.
So, you maybe asking yourself, what was the reason for the smiling?? Ahh--here it is. For the first time in a long long time it seemed that my family was all happy at the same time. True, Adam was recovering from hand surgery and far away, but I could tell by the sound of his voice that as much as he missed being here he was just fine. He had friends and was not in pain. He spent the evening enjoying the company of people he liked while they raised money for Breast Cancer Research at Uno's in Reston. Shane was relaxed, looked wonderful and was more than willing to share our bounty with a friend. He seemed to be happy to be with us. Mike was a great host and the food was good. Brutus and Bailey and Sydney all ignored each other and all seemed well in our world. We could have used another bottle of wine, but lesson learned.
So that is the story of the smile on Thanksgiving night. I cant tell you how good it felt to feel the joy and have absolutely no stress as I drifted off to sleep. I hope to get a repeat of that joy many more times in the future.
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