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11/12/09

“What I’m doing 4 Thanksgiving”

By Adam Gentry

 

Like many years before, we drive up to my grand parents place. It’s always been our tradition that the eldest choose what table we sit around. But for the first time in more than ten years, many from the extended family will be there; so many in fact, that we have to cook two birds. So many we have to rent a house down the street. And with the new edition of cousins who’ve learned to cook since last time, many other things are changing. Before there were many helping hands, but one maestro masterminded the entire meal, from meat to gravy, from vegetables to desert. This year we are all very busy. Some drive to Camp the day of Thanksgiving, others leave the day after. A few change their plans so often they have whittled their options down to one, don’t come. It’s a shame, but last minute travel plans can be expensive.

          Like a celestial alignment, these far flung bodies who rarely cross each other’s path will come together, join hands, and pause for a moment, one still moment, and then, a frenzy of serving and plate passing and those first few bites eaten too fast to savor the flavor. Hands and mouths slow, and it all quiets down, sinking into lethargy.