It’s getting busy in the Boyll household as we rev up for Thanksgiving and Advent. My thoughts are more on a cranberry recipe than deeper musings. But since thoughts are whirling, it seems the perfect time to say, “I am thankful for you.” Trust me. I am not trying for a Hallmark expression here. I just really am grateful.
Thankful for Family and Friends
Life is rich with family, old friends, and new friends. There is at least one baby coming in the spring, who I gratefully look forward to holding for the first time. There are so many joys and sorrows from the yesterdays that are now part of my tapestry. I am grateful for all the work behind me, as this handiwork keeps expanding as it is spun. My life, like most, has some remarkable patterns, but often it is so ordinary. Still, I believe all of it is valued by God. For his mindfulness and care, I give thanks.
Thankful for the Harvest Table
I am also grateful for the harvest table. Friends Keiko and Jeanine in the lead picture above actually do harvest cranberries in southeastern Massachusetts. But they harvest like I do—as visitors to a family farm. For this farmer’s daughter, who never liked dirt on her hands, I am grateful for the bread and pasta that come from grain cultivated in our country’s Bread Basket—especially in North Dakota where my brother, two nephews, and several cousins farm. Their work requires lots of planning, equipment, labor, and expense.
Thankful for All Those Invisible Faces
This labor applies to all of our Thanksgiving foods. Sometimes, at our table, we serve wild rice casserole or stuffing. Native Americans in Minnesota provide this special rice. Via factory, train, truck, and grocery store, Libby’s pumpkin and corn come to our home from many contractors across the U.S. There’s a jar of apple butter from Yates’ Apple Farm in Michigan that soon will be opened.
The turkeys that hit the market at this time of year is a mind-boggling gobble. At our house we consume organic and generic poultry.
What they have in common is that I am very grateful someone else did the butchering! I am also grateful for a great glass of wine on Thanksgiving. This year, most likely a California vintage will be the host’s choice. There are so many people involved in bringing the food to our table! I appreciate and thank God for all those hundreds of invisible faces.
Generous Spirits and Pie
Of course, there are many other blessings I am privileged to enjoy. I pray I won’t be stingy with sharing my bounty—not just on Thanksgiving, but every day. Jesus said in Luke 12:48: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” May I, and you, respond wisely with what is placed in our hands and hearts. May we have generous spirits, even as we enjoy our pie!
Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful for you!
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Below is an interesting five-minute You Tube selection on how cranberries are cultivated, which includes a berry sauce recipe!