Thanksgiving

Unlike every other Thanksgiving my whole life, this year's was a simple affair. Today there was no large, elaborate family gathering at the grandparents' suburban house. Instead, it was just me and mom at mine here in the city. The rest of the family was either too far flung, not interested, or organized enough to take part, so I stepped up and offered to host a small gathering. Mom happily accepted and we spent several hours together catching up over a semi-homecooked meal.

It was an interesting bit of role reversal. Usually I go down and bring something to add to the meal while being asked about every little detail of my personal life. Today, however, I took care of just about everything from the starters to dessert, and she filled me in on the latest happenings at work, with relatives, and with her plans for the new pre-fab house she's about to have built. Of course, I couldn't totally get away from the questions. For the first time in a while she asked about my boyfriend (although she kept referring to him as my "friend"), including why he wasn't living with me instead of renting and whether we were thinking about adopting kids! I've known for a while that she wants grandchildren, but I was still caught off guard when she asked about our adoption plans, especially after she had been told that we've been together for just over a year. Needless to say, premature was an understatement regarding those questions.

Overall, it was a successful Thanksgiving. Mom and I had some of our best conversations in a while and I received more than my fair share of compliments on how nice my home looked and how well things were going for me personally and professionally. Of course, being a mom, she took full credit for everything that's gone well in my life...and I do mean everything. Naturally, I think that was an overstatement on her part, but I didn't argue the point. In childhood she was a positive influence and life has been great to me ever since. What better day than today to take note of my good fortune and give thanks?

Now that the meal and visit are over and the kitchen is clean, I'm thankful for Spike's James Bond marathon and my half full bottles of pinot grigio and cabernet sauvingnon, too. There's nothing better on a rain-soaked holiday than chilling out with a full stomach.

Happy Thanksgiving.