A Little Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2020 style

Like most of you (I hope) this year I’ll be having a little Thanksgiving. And by little I mean dinner for two; my brother and me. In my entire life, this will be the second Thanksgiving I haven’t spent with my family. Each of my sisters will also be holding a little Thanksgiving in their respective homes with some but not all their kids. Rachel will not be with me this year either. Most (but not all) of us will share a Zoom toast on Thanksgiving night. 

There is some ease in a little Thanksgiving. No traveling (for me), no dressing up (I’ve lobbied unsuccessfully for a more causal TG dinner), and little risk of contracting COVID. That said I’ll miss catching up with my nieces and nephew and the big meal we all prepare and enjoy together. This year, I’ll be doing all the cooking, and likely the cleaning as well. 

Rather than turkey, I’m making duck with cranberry glaze, and one pie. I still haven’t decided on what I’m going to do with the giant yam I bought, and we’ll have Brussels sprouts and stuffing (technically dressing as I’m not stuffing it into anything but my mouth).

Giving a little thanks

Thanksgiving is a day for reflection and gratitude. If you and your family have stayed healthy this year, as mine has, there is nothing to feel more thankful for. It’s been a tough year, and it’s not over. The pandemic is raging and though the election is (mercifully) over, there are still many days before a new President is inaugurated. There is time for more mayhem.

I’m as tired as anyone of wearing a mask, of feeling wary whenever I venture out and wondering if or when the virus will strike me or someone I know. I get alerts on my phone warning me of the dangers that lurk out there, and notifying me that local hospitals are near capacity. I fume at those who still believe this is all some hoax, and who act as if wearing a mask is a sign of weakness or a political statement.  

Thankful to be home

My last day of work for 2020 was November 16th. I left New Hartford, New York, drove to Rochester to see Rachel, and then drove home through a surprising amount of snow. I am truly grateful to have been able to continue working and collecting a salary for three months, but that’s a long time to live in a hotel, away from home and my own stuff.

After a week at home, I still wander around grateful to be in my own house, sleeping in my own bed, and doing things on my own schedule. I have sat in almost every chair and gazed out every window. In my hotel room, I had one window overlooking a parking lot and some trees. Going from room to room I feel a mix of familiarity and newness. I also feel frustration as I search for things that I put away three months ago…

Thanks for dinner

This has been a fraught and challenging year for almost everyone, including me, but I am acutely aware of my own good fortune. My family is healthy, there is food in my fridge, my house is warm, and I expect to return to work in January. I am thankful to be sitting here writing this, and my wish is that if you are reading this you are okay too. 

Who knows what will happen tomorrow. Today I give thanks for health, family, and each of you. I give thanks for a delicious dinner and hope we can all celebrate at least a little Thanksgiving.