It’s always amazing to me how so many hours of preparation and planning culminate in approximately 15 minutes of time around the table eating on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone so excited to dive into what they’ve been waiting all year to eat. The perfectly roasted turkey carved and promptly demolished by hungry feasters. The exquisitely fluffy mashed potatoes gone. The slightly sweet homemade rolls practically inhaled by those who were specifically instructed to “wait until dinner!” before making them disappear.
The conversation around the table lingers even after dishes are being cleared. Each person stating (at beautifully great length, I might add!) what they are so very thankful for this year. None of it is the typical, cliche answers. Each is heartfelt, specific, and, of course, laced with a tiny bit of humor. I can assure you that these conversations will always be my favorite “family recipe”. The dish I savor most.
Today, I wake up to traces of the mess we made yesterday. Our very thankful mess. And before I begin unpacking all things Christmas this morning, I will play back in my mind the beauty of yesterday. The laughter. The conversations. The meal shared. The football game in the field. The napping with the puppies. The movies watched from our bed. The walk to coffee downtown.
And as I brush off the last of the crumbs of pumpkin pie from the counter, I will reflect and give Jesus the most sincere of thanks for this thankful, lovely mess. Over too quickly, but lingering forever in our memories.
And a thankful mama will smile and sigh most contentedly…
