Another year rolls around almost to a close, and it’s turkey-day yet again. Actually, it’s the day for expressing gratitude rolling around, yet again. In past years I’ve presented my laundry lists of those that have meant the most to me, to my family, friends, country and especially to those on the battle lines keeping us safe.

This year, I’m still very thankful for all that, and more. It’s different though, this time around. Last April we lost the wife’s mother after a brutal, but short, battle with cancer. Thanksgiving dinner was Carolyn’s most favorite meal — we even fixed it for her in the middle of summer last year, just before her abdominal surgery — just in case she wouldn’t make it to Nov. Today, we won’t be making that meal; No one’s got the stomach for it — today. Saturday will be our turkey day this year. We’ll see if that makes any difference, we’ll see who shows up.

Tonight, we’re going to live out the out-to-dinner scene in our own version of Jean Shepherd’s A Christmas Story. You remember, when the dogs destroy the Christmas dinner and they all end up going out for Chinese — the only place open.

Well, we’re going to Tara’s, a Himalayan restaurant on Venice Blvd. that specializes in Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese food from the mountain regions — all prepared from Tara’s own recipes. She’s doing a Thanksgiving themed menu featuring Tandoori-oven turkey, turkey curry, pumpkin soup and a whole lot more. We love the regular menu and are looking forward to this special experience. Tara is a nice lady from Nepal, she’s a real trip.

Taking a peek around the Blogosphere I see that Michelle Malkin is highlighting a brave family that made the decision to be self-reliant, despite all odds. Patterico reminds us that “Some day, you’ll miss almost everything about your life the way it is right now.” Plus, he offers a little mind trick to help us not fall into that trap. The Anchoress, as usual, puts it all in proper perspective:

It’s easy to remember to be grateful for those “big” and “obvious” things. But it is the humble, ordinary things – the things we take for granted, that give us mobility, opportunity, self-sufficiency, expression – we rarely think to be grateful for those things.

I realized once, while at prayer, that real joy and contentment in life is not possible – cannot be possible – without real gratitude. Unless you really KNOW what you have, how can you appreciate it, and if you do not appreciate your life how can you be joyful?

I was in a real funk when I started this post. I’m almost joyful, now, here at the end. And, thanks to you folks, for reading this ol’ Okie’s rambling screeds.

Ya didn’t think I’d forgotten YOU, now did ya?

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 27th, 2008 at 11:40 am and is filed under Okie on the Lam. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  |   Print This Post  |   Email This Post

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