Reflections on the Tenth Week of Fall

 

 

   I was horrified by a story on the radio Tuesday. Millennials gleefully described Friendsgiving, a Thanksgiving shared with good friends rather than relatives. ( https://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/11/24/friendsgiving-sam-whitehead ) This year my celebration brought relatives in a slow crescendo.

   We started with three on Thanksgiving morning. Spencer Charles cut onions and celery for the stuffing. I rubbed olive oil on the skin of the fresh, fourteen pound turkey. Spencer Thomas split firewood. In the evening we relaxed with a quiet meal incorporating homegrown Wells Wood ingredients–highbush cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, onions for the stuffing, and strawberries and an apple in the pie.

   Friday Spence and I scouted where to dig the hole for planting the tiny, blue spruce with its burlap wrapped root ball–after it has served as our Christmas tree. Then Ellen and her husband Chris arrived increasing us to five. Because UPS and New Jersey in-laws will claim our offspring for Christmas, we opened Christmas presents, chuckled on the number of Sherlock Holmes related gifts, and reminisced about the Handfasting Celebration last October.

   The Pittsburgh Wellses drove through rain to make Saturday a celebration of twelve. Addy, ten months old, captured everyone's attention by squealing as she crawled after cats, running after step-step-stepping as she held Ellen's hands, and reaching open arms to each relative in turn. Laughter bounced through the house. The twelve of us ate a Wells-brother chili/tortilla meal. Patrick organized Mad Libs while I washed dishes and contributed the words “water,” “soapy,” and “wet.” The gang moved on to Karma, a crazy card game, then charades. Addy shrieked trying to stay awake. 

    I wrapped her in a blanket and carried her outside to the porch where the live Christmas tree stood in a wash tub on a table and glowed through the window. Addy reverently inspected the white lights and sand dollar ornaments. I rubbed her back and was thankful that as I age, the family grows giving me more relatives to enjoy. To me, Thanksgiving will always mean family.