Thanksgiving Arrives Early

My wonderful church family is once again coming alongside me to offer meals and prayers while I undergo chemo next Wednesday - right before Thanksgiving. I am busy gearing up for this chemo, trying to get the house in order and take care of bills and papers for coursework, etc.

It never occurred to me to celebrate Thanksgiving early while I am still feeling well. I just fell into the trap of assuming that since I would be reeling from the treatment, I would lie low, sleep, and somehow manage to get through the day. But they suggested I consider celebrating with family today. If I was willing, they would bring a complete Thanksgiving dinner! Who could refuse such an amazing offer?

I invited Kiel and Andrea, and as an afterthought, also my sister who lives alone here in Rochester. I had a reference shift in the late afternoon and Kiel had work until about the same time. We both arrived home to an apartment filled with yummy smells and a plethora of pans brimming with holiday goodies. I almost feel guilty accepting such largess at the expense of someone else's labor. After all, I could have done this had I thought of it. I could have squeezed it in before the boom lowers.

Still, what an enjoyable evening we had. Good conversation, laughter, memories of past family events - while gathered around food which we could all thoroughly enjoy. We pulled one delightful dish after another from the warming oven - turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, gravy, home made rolls, sweet potato pie and cranberry relish. No one was shy. We lingered at table long after forks stopped moving.

Chairs would have been more comfortable in the living room, but no one wanted to move. No one wanted to leave the fellowship or break the good time we were having. After a bit, we thought of the pies - apple AND pumpkin! Can you imagine? How spoiled are we? We decide to wait a bit before indulging more, and finally wander into the living room where I ask for help in setting up my little Christmas tree (might as well get a head start on that holiday too!).

This year I am graduating to a one-person sized tree just large enough to hold the select ornaments I have gradually collected as children have moved out and taken their favorite ornaments with them. It goes up in a zip and then we watch the Veggie Tales Little Drummer Boy dvd until our dinner settles and we are ready for pie.

It felt just like Thanksgiving - a wonderful day filled with family and food and fellowship. Just right. I am surrounded with memories of past Thanksgivings where we met at Grandma's house and played with our cousins. Even Drew reminisced about the bit bowl of walnuts we used to have, and how he liked to crack them and pop them in his mouth. Good memories. I will not be sad at all or alone come the actual Thanksgiving Day when I will be home alone nursing a chemo hangover.

I am extremely grateful for the hands that prepared all the wonderful food we enjoyed and for the kind hearted people who recognized how important it was for us not to skip this important celebration. My heart is singing with happiness as I tuck the remains away for another day. Perhaps I will save a plate for next week. Perhaps it won't manage to last that long! But the memories will be there. I will be buoyed up by these moments of happiness. And some year, I will be able to give such a precious gift to a family going through the pits. I hope it will be soon.