Days 27: I am thankful for anticipation.
I loved planning for Thanksgiving. I had my list, my thoughts and the ideas of what Thanksgiving would be be. I’ve outgrown the Christmas anticipation for myself but still have it for Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s because I love food and love to serve people that which I love. I’m not sure exactly but the anticipation for this meal is something I look forward to all year.
After spending the morning with Ben’s family and having a Thanksgiving lunch, we had planned on hosting about 10 international students from South Korea and China for dinner. I love sharing weird parts of our culture with others. I loved thinking of baking apple pies, from-scratch stuffing, casseroles galore…
the anticipation is what makes the day so perfect.
Day 28: I am thankful for reality {on a Thanksgiving morn}.
Reality is your friend, my mom aways says.
I muttered that when my plumbing when out at midnight. When sewage filled 2 of my bath tubs and my stand up shower the following morning. When the toilets overflowed into 2 bathrooms. When Ben said at the top of his lungs, DO NOT USE ANY WATER. When the fact I hadn’t made the pies yet hit me square in the face. When I couldn’t do dishes or wash the Thanksgiving placemats. When we are running two hours late to Ben’s family’s house to celebrate with them. When my in-laws car that my brother was driving threw a tire and he grinded on axel to a halt, watching the tire bounce by him, over a fence and into a cow field narrowly missing other cars.
When I just have to admit defeat that we aren’t able to host Thanksgiving dinner.
When reality is just NOT my friend, I’m reminded of other words: His grace is enough…
The time at Ben’s parents went so conversely perfect, with sharing, tears, praise singing and lots of pies. I felt recharged and able to breath. Even with all the awkwardness in changing locations, stress, burnt fingers from carrying hot pots to the car to take across town, language barriers and not enough seating for everyone, it was perfect after all. Mostly.
Day 29: I am thankful for memories.
Goodness no, not yet from Thanksgiving.
But some day soon, yes.
