gobble gobble

The turkey is roasting in the oven. The stuffing and green bean casserole (updated, fresh version, of course) are teed up to be transported to another oven shortly. In a couple of hours, the car caravan to my daught's house, normally a short 2 minute walk, will commence. There, we'll gather with some favorite family friends and a recently relocated cousin and fiance'. The table has been set with her late, great grandmother-in-law's elegant gold-trimmed china and adorned with fresh flowers, candles, linen table cloth, elaborately folded and beribboned napkins, and place cards proudly crafted by 7-yr-old Vivi. The girls will all be a little dressier than usual and the boys will be focusing some amount of attention on the doomed Detroit Lions or less-likely-to-be-losing Dallas Cowboys.

Center attraction will be the big bird that is presently infusing my home with that amazing "Today's Thanksgiving" aroma. Sharing the stage will be the deep fried beauty my son-in-law is in charge of. We'll load up the buffet with the shrimp and crab meat appetizers, cream-cheesy mashed potatoes, baked root veggies, cornbread, cranberry sauce, strawberry jello salad, rolls, gravy, aforementioned beans and stuffing, wine for the big kids, cider for the little ones, and so far, three homemade pies (pecan, marionberry, and key lime). Ah... what a day not to be a vegetarian. This morning's lame walk/run workout will not begin to counteract the impact of the feast.

I'm looking forward to the go-around-the-table declarations of what each person is thankful for. The kids will be funny, no doubt someone will mention our new Pres-to-be, and we'll give props to each other and those we love who aren't with us in person, many of whom will check in or be tracked down by telephone throughout the day.

Most of the rest of my fellow Americans will be engaged in similar activity today. For a few hours, we'll collectively try to forget that it is a fragile time; and painful to realize that for many of us, it's just another day of hunger, loneliness or despair. Today, I'm grateful for the privileged life I get to lead, despite the precipitous decline in 401(k)s, ongoing war and all the real economic problems we face.

Today I'm just happy to be grateful.