Fallen leaves, rising gratitude

Now that the leaves have fallen from the trees and the weather has grown sufficiently cold, we will soon find ourselves seated at the table surrounded by family, friends and a tasty bird who has made the ultimate sacrifice. Sometime in between the moment I realize the Lions game has become an unwatchable beatdown again this year and later on when I find my eyes growing heavy as I lean back on the couch filled with gobbler & pie; I will try to reflect on some of the things I am thankful for. Yes, this will be one of those posts...so if you prefer to avoid predictably saccharine musings on the holiday; avert your eyes now.


oh, it's one of those posts...(enlarge photo for maximum facetious german shepherd expression)

This season serves as a mile marker of sorts, where I look over my shoulder and try to catch a glimpse of where I was last year and the years before. Almost 10 years ago, I asked my wife if she wanted to be my "steady" girlfriend and nearly one year ago we moved into this house. Eight years ago we celebrated our first Thanksgiving together in Orlando with a loco German Shepherd from Laredo named Dante. Last year, we spent our first turkey day with a Blue Heeler who was then the size of a Beanie Baby with the appetite of a dope smoking goat. Four years ago, we crammed 8 people into our tiny apartment in San Francisco and I poured everyone big gulp sized glasses of port wine after dessert. I'm not sure but I think I spent the new few hours walking in circles around the neighborhood with Otto; I was determined not to ruin April's party with projectile vomiting. I did learn that port wine is best served in smaller glasses and savored in sips not swigs. This lesson proved useful at the port wine institute in Lisbon this year. Twelve years ago, at the University of Hawaii, I spent Thanksgiving at a YMCA with my roommate Mike French & two Mormon missionary gals who made the turkey. I don't remember much about what else we ate that night but I do remember the good company and that I didn't feel homesick despite it being my first Thanksgiving away from home.


fallen colors

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite of the holidays. It's usually the one chance I have to watch the Lions on television no matter where I am currently living and every year I find myself believing that this will be the year they finally win the Turkey bowl. It's the day when the whole house will fill with the aroma of April's top secret turkey recipe and stuffing and cranberries and sweet potatoes. A day when I can finally stuff myself silly with the darkest of dark meats that I have been craving all year. Time for family and friends to come over or for us take April's turkey to them, for small talk and watching the first quarter of the Cowboys game before diving into the finest feast of the year. A time for fellowship and finding room for the desert you didn't believe it would be possible to cram into your gut but always do anyways. Time when the clock seems to slow down enough to savor each passing moment the way you savor each bite of sweet potato pie.

Thinking back on the many tables where I have enjoyed Thanksgivings past, the many noble turkeys whose flavor I have savored, the fine folk I have shared the holiday with; I do feel immeasurably thankful. Thankful I am blessed with a beautiful, loving wife, a warm & happy home, a wonderful family, many great friends, one loyal dog and one Clyde and after over a year of searching...a new job. So on my favorite holiday, on my 30th year upon his earth, I offer my humble thanks and praise to God who makes all this possible. Selah.


November sunset