This morning as I move around my kitchen, preparing cornbread dressing for our extended family meal, I am moved with remembrances of Thanksgivings past and how they have been woven into the fabric of who I am today. Not only the shared recipes, but the shared experiences and emotional ties and bonds that have followed me through the years--to this day, in a very different place and time. While I prepare and taste my cornbread dressing, I think of Gloria. How she lovingly made this dish each Thanksgiving, passed the recipe to me when we moved away from Antioch, and then, leaving us with fond memories, she joined Spencer in heaven.
Sometimes family came and joined us at Antioch, and we added another table to the already over-sized one. Ron and Elena and sometimes Maggie, brought an added dimension of thanksgiving to my heart as they fellowshipped with my Antioch family.
Now here we are, fifteen years and fifteen Thanksgivings later, celebrating a day of love and grace, and yes, thankfulness for family and friends and abundance of food.
And I am thankful-
- Thankful for my children. For their health and their unfolding journeys, of which I am sometimes a part, but often merely an encourager and listener and observer. They bring me great joy and I am proud of who they are becoming.
- Thankful for my family and friends. Thankful for our friendships and spiritual connectedness. For the encouragement and insights we share and the loving embraces and open invitations, despite varied life experiences and thought. Thankful for how they minister and come to my aid, making the rough places plane. God is watching and notes your generosity and kindness shown to me and my children.
- Thankful for my home and warmth and work and music and books and good food.
Most of all, thankful to my very loving Father who forgives my sins and embraces me with extravagant and lavish love. Who takes my hand each ordinary day, gives me grace and hope, and promises to never leave me.
I cannot ask for more this Thanksgiving Day.
Girl, don't make me cry. I remember Antioch. I too have made an Antioch recipe passed on -- the Cranberry salad is delicious. I just tasted it. It's going to be so good with the dressing. Antioch taught me to have an open home...and everyone knows it. Five people called this morning needing a place to go. Our home is open because of things you, Gloria, and everyone at Antioch taught me. I am so thankful for you, Nancy. I love and miss you so much. Dang, you made me cry!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I'm catching up and just read this--thanks for sharing these beautiful reflections! I, too, think of Gloria and Antioch at Thanksgiving-time (and many other times), and I'm also deeply grateful for the season I spent in the extended circle around your shared home. All of you taught me so much about grace, faith, community and the other important things in life. Thank you, and much love to you and yours!
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