It’s easy to be thankful for the big things: healthy family, food on the table, four sound walls, a roof, and heat. Tonight, to be sure, I’m thankful for all of those. And then some.
For the turkey that took hours longer to cook than we expected, but turned out delicious anyway.
For the dogs underfoot, stealing my seat every time I got off the sofa, and then putting their soft heads under my hands for affection.
For the cheese, oh lord, the delicious cheese.
For the duchess potato recipe that went horribly wrong and yielded what looked like tiny white cow patties.
For the dinner roll recipe that also went wrong, but we laughed.
For the family members who enjoyed dinner even when it was late and not perfect.
For the goats fighting each other for a taste of leek and brussels sprouts trimmings.
For the clumps of snow that came in with the dogs.
For the intoxicating cranberry spice punch that M concocted. And the one with gin and roasted lemons that L mixed up.
For board games and Doctor Who Yahtzee.
For singing “American Pie” with my sister and my daughter, and doing the dance we made up thirty years ago.
For leftovers wrapped in corn tortillas.
For plentiful hot water and soap.
For listening to the old songs.
For Burton Cummings making us howl with laughter, singing:
When I was a boy I dreamed I was a jeweler
With a family business that was free and clear
Selling golden earrings to Mrs. Mickey Mantle
Trying to be gentle while I stuck it in her ear
For words, hands, brains. For salt, butter, wine. For hearts. For voices. For the quiet moment gathering firewood. For laundry. For the puppy playing catch with himself. For pecan bars. For the snow plow. For smoke curling up from chimneys.
For the half moon, the high clouds, the shy stars. The headlights passing by in the darkness, cars holding tired children in back seats, watching the moon follow them all the way home.
For each and every one of you. Thank you, oh thank you, oh thank you.
Grongar 