Here again comes the time for gratitude, for much food and much warmth, for family and love. I do love this time of year.
Ted’s holiday was much different than he is accustomed to. He does have a sister who has an extensive family and who frequently invites him to join them, but she lives in Nevada, and Ted does not enjoy traveling enough to make the trip more than every third year or so. His Thanksgiving meal usually consists of takeout consumed on his own. This year, however, he had two meals. One was traditional, as he was invited to join Elaine and her parents at their meal, where Elaine’s father carved a turkey and they had candles on the table. He enjoyed that almost as much as he did the other one, which happened last night and consisted of Elaine and three of her other single friends who get together every year and take turns trying out a new recipe. This year’s concoction, a turkey casserole made by Elaine’s coworker Beverly, was edible, but the laughter and the fun of the evening made up for the lack of fancy food. In the midst of both the exuberance of this meal and the warmth of the other, Ted found himself looking at Elaine and thinking that he could get used to this.
Harrington took great pleasure in giving his office three full days off for Thanksgiving. He also spent yesterday making six different pies to give as gifts to his employees. The fun of baking with Isabella and Arthur has kept him in a good mood into today, and not even the crispy dark taste of their worst effort could spoil that mood.
Gabrielle and Nick had their meal at her uncle’s house, a tradition that has stood for many years. Brent is an excellent cook, and his daughter Ashley takes pride in setting the table with hand-crafted decorations and the best china. Nick, Gabrielle, and her parents dutifully praised both the presentation and the taste of the meal, and the whole family dug in with two big dogs and one puppy lurking hopefully under the table.
Grace and Con had their meal with Con’s family, a deliberate choice on both of their parts. Grace’s parents have had many opportunities to spend time with Shep, and Grace wants to be certain that he knows his paternal grandparents, too. Con deeply appreciated the gesture, and it only did more to heal the breach between them and forge a new bond, one that will last as little Shep grows up.
Finally, Freya was at her mother’s house with various students who found themselves at odds as the holiday approached. They ate well and then pulled out board games to play, and late into the night they laughed and talked and yes, drank. Freya alone abstained, as she was responsible for getting the students back to their dorms safely. She found their antics very amusing, and though when she had come into the room as a stranger to all of them, by the end of the night every one was a friend.
There are so many things that I am thankful for. I am thankful for busy days and restful nights, for good friends and good charges and kind seniors. I am thankful that I have work that I love, and that I work with love. I am thankful to have Freya safe under my wing, and that all of my other charges are happy. I am thankful for a future that is bright, and I look forward to finding it.