At the Estate of the Ellison’s the maid does the last minute touches to the Autumnal centerpiece.....Crystal stemware gleams within prism chandelier glow...Starched white linens are smoothed and napkins, as creased swans, stand guard over a legion of silverware…Fine, gold-rimmed china takes center stage...Tapers flicker and dance from loud voices as guests and hosts exchange pleasantries....An invited priest brings the table to Grace, champagne pours freely, and laughter trickles through the red velvet drapes....The creative feast boasts full compotes and gravy boats, as servers scamper with the next course.....Promises of a good Cuban cigar in the study, entice the men......
At the edge of the Suburbs, a table is set with handmade place-mats....On each, a pine cone turkey, constructed by grade school hands, decorated with crayons......Napkins are tied with orange and brown ribbons, as children place silverware in the right slot next to pottery plates.....A Mother brings her trophy of golden brown turkey to be judged by a caring Mother in law......Smiles beam, as the Father once again attempts the most perfect carving.....Mashed potatoes plop, gravy pours, and jello slides....Grandfather brings the prayer for the Thanksgiving blessings of the year....Glasses of milk raised in toast to having a full table.....Pumpkin pie waits for a dollop of whipped cream....
At the Apartment Complex, the couple giggles as they cover the coffee table with a new, store-bought tea towel....A toffee-scented candle is lit in celebration...From the kitchen they dish from the stove, their slices of turkey roast, some boiled potatoes, dressing from a box, gravy from a can, and cranberries from a jar...Paper towels pass for napkins…Pepsi is poured ceremoniously into Dollar Store glasses, as they settle upon the borrowed couch, to share their first Thanksgiving together...As a reminder, the TV screams the game of the day......A kiss seals the beginning......
At the edge of the city, the Nursing Home dining room fills with chatter and banging plates and forks.......Trays are loaded with mounds of turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, yams and are set in front of wheel-chaired Seniors, aliened along a stark laminate table....Paper napkins are tucked as bibs on some, others drop to the floor, lost....Piped music blares, to cover conversation.....In a room at the end of the hallway, waits a patient for her tray.....She finds herself eating alone in a quiet room, as she blesses her food quietly, and ponders Christmas....
At the center of the City, the shivering homeless watch as breaths steam into crisp Fall air.....The line that formed at dawn, now winding around the corner of the brick building....As the Shelter doors swing open, promise of turkey and the trimmings flow through the senses...White uniformed volunteers dip helpings onto a portioned tray, and direct the guests to the table for hot coffee...Pockets fill with rolls for later....Tables bright with red and white oil cloth, seat groups from the street, as music from a Salvation Army band rings in their ears....A minister leads a blessing as the hungry swallow.....
At a three-story walk-up in the Village, a Veteran sits in the dark.....He pats the head of a gaunt German Shepherd and tells him that soon their Thanksgiving meal will be ready.....Walking with cane to the window, he peers through faded curtains to the street below.....Not many on the sidewalks, as he suspects they are mostly with family.....After navigating the stairwell, he and his sidekick saunter quietly to a corner cafe…A turkey sandwich and coffee to go.....Ascending three flights, they both anticipate their private holiday meal together....
In a Humvee, sitting in drifting sands, a Soldier softly brushes away the dust from his lady's picture.......As he gazes at her, he wonders of her day and of their children...Will it be at home or at Grandma's house?....His buddies wish him Happy Thanksgiving, throw him a packet, and promise a relief shift soon.....And as he peels away the cover of his MRE, he remembers his wife's words as he left on that Sunday morning...."Stay safe, and come home by Thanksgiving."....he thought...if only.
This year give thanks for what you have, say a prayer for those who don't have! If you know of someone who is alone,
invite them to share.
Remember what Thanksgiving is really suppose to be about.
Happy Thanksgiving and Many Blessings from My House to Yours!
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