Reverb 10 - Prompt #3

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

There were many moments that I really felt alive in 2010, but one that sticks out most just happened recently.  One moment during which I felt most alive this year was Thanksgiving Day. 

Grandma Chicken Wing's house was warm, which perfectly offset the chilly, gray day that happened to be drizzling rain for the majority of the time.  There was a table full of food to perfectly complement the table full of family.  While I was so thankful for the bounty my Grandma had prepared for us year after year, I was also mindful of a few things that were new to the experience.

1.  The seating arrangement was different.  This was our first Thanksgiving without Papa Chicken Wing, and he always sat at one head of the table.  Grandma Chicken Wing always sat at the other head of the table.  This year, Uncle Chicken Wing sat at the head where Papa was usually seated.

2.  This year, I had full control of the amount of food I consumed.  While I won't lie and say I didn't go overboard on my own, this year Papa wasn't there asking me repeatedly if I wanted more creamed potatoes.  (His Alzheimer's had gotten pretty bad in recent times before he passed away, and he loved to help out during lunches and dinners by making sure I wasn't lacking in the potato department.  I made my stomach hurt so badly one time because I just didn't have the heart to tell him that I was full).

3.  As we all encounter sure signs of the circles of life, so did I this Thanksgiving.  It was the first that Comanche (my very handsome boyfriend, if you're a new reader) shared with our family.  Papa was gone, which saddened me terribly, and Comanche was there, which made me giddy with excitement.  It was also the first time that Comanche met Grandma and Uncle Chicken Wing, so I was filled with anticipation for that.

4.  Also new this year?  Grandma Chicken Wing actually let me prepare something for the Thanksgiving table - my homemade macaroni and cheese.  For those who don't know my Grandma, this is like finding a cure for something horrible, or discovering a new type of dinosaur - it truly is ground-breaking!  Grandma is famous for never letting anyone help or contribute - after all, it's her day to shine, as the matriarch of our family.  This was a huge deal for me, and I am happy to report that everyone loved my mac and cheese, including Grandma!

The Spread!  A picture's worth a thousand words!

Little Brother Chicken Wing enjoying scrumptious mac & cheese that someone made!  ;)

Oh you know there was more waiting on the stove!  We need a bigger table!

Not everything was different, however.  There were certain things that scream classic Thanksgiving to me, and those still were present in 2010.  The food was absolutely amazing, parades and football games were watched, and a game of toss-around football was played.  Dinner was had with the leftovers from Thanksgiving lunch, just as it is almost every year.  Games were played (this year, it was a colorful and competitive family favorite - Mexican dominoes).

I always feel so alive at Thanksgiving because it's one of many yearly reminders of how lucky I am.  I hope I am alive to experience many more Thanksgivings with my family, as it's one of my favorite holidays!

Until next time,