It Is Enough

This morning I watched two generations teaming up on a pumpkin cheesecake. As they began I thought that we could add a third helper and replay a scene from Macbeth. Before long it became sweet and comical as everybody threw in an opinion or observation. The grandson burst into laughter when his mom asked if the pan was the required 10 inches and his Nana whipped out a measuring tape to confirm. It was a a contractor at work and the whole project took on a architectural dimension.

This is the day of Thanksgiving and simple domestic scenes like this seem to be the warmest and sweetest memories we enjoy. Can’t forget your mother putting a can of fried onions on the string beans or floating a can of fruit cocktail in a ridiculous lime green jello. I enjoy the talks about turkey cooking methods, tips and secrets. There’s the brown bag method, the cheesecloth twist, or-for the fearless-the deep fryer. Son in law plans to immerse the fowl in gallons of peanut oil . If necessary, we will all take cover.

As the preparations continue, the spiritual aspects of the day start to kick in. Meister Eckhart – one of my favorite mystics- put it well: ” If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” The thank yous that we offer have weight and dimension, they are the building blocks of a happy life. Thinking back, I’ve always said thank you…they were the last words I said to my mother before she died and hope they will be the last words I say on this plane of existence.

The family swirls about, the cheesecake has come out of the oven actually looking like a cheesecake, one granddaughter naps and the other kids are playing by the lake. That’s a full cornucopia. Thoreau once said, “my thanksgiving is perpetual.” I get it.

So have a wonderful day and when grandma passes you the yams don’t forget to say thank you.