First of all, I haven't cooked in 3 years.
Not a big deal to you, maybe. My contribution to Thanksgiving Day was cooking and I loved it.
For decades, I cooked a big traditional dinner. We had friends and family over for the day. It was always a warm, fellowship day with smiles all around.
One part of the tradition was cooking with my daughter. This became a special event for both of us.
As with all things, it has passed. She grew up and left home, got a family...so we don't do it anymore.
God, I miss it! Isn't it funny how a silly little tradition can mean so much?
Our new tradition is spending the day with a few select friends that have become our new "family". I get to cook the potatoes...not much in the cooking arena but a heartfelt day.
And today is an abbreviated day to boot. Yella is singing at The Rock restaurant with the Day brothers this evening. A great opportunity for her because these are by far the best musicians in town.
Not quite the Thanksgiving Day I'm used too though...
A little quirk here in Panama, turkeys are expensive! About $50 to $70! I remember buying a turkey in the US for $5. They were practically giving them away. That didn't seem right.
Plus another little quirk at our home. The oven goes off at unexpected times. Cooking in the oven takes real vigilance. You have to keep checking to make sure the damn thing hasn't turned off.
No wonder I haven't cooked a turkey since we've been here.
Ok, I'll admit it. I am feeling a little disoriented about this day. Hopefully, visiting and eating with our friends will take care of that.
Even feeling a little off, drumming up some gratitude doesn't take any effort.
How did I get so lucky to live in paradise? To have an abundance of friends? To have a huge part of my life playing music? To hang out with my wife in a relaxed, spacious lifestyle?
Oh, and did I mention, we can afford to do it.
Even though this is The Land Of Unfulfilled Expectations, it is also The Land Of Gratitude!
Let's celebrate!
1 comment:
Hi Tom! Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yella. You are my Treasure that I am Grateful for! We are having our Thanksgiving today (Saturday) because it was less pressure on me to get home in time. Family is coming over today, so we celebrate together. Had Satsang this morning, Quite Beautiful. Such Open-Heartedness. All is quite Exquisite Here; Offering only Thanks and Praise for This.
Love You, Darshan
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