New York City #038 Thanks Gives Weekend

Thanksgiving!  Whoa!  It's here again and I'm very thankful to see.  This is the time when cool breezes tap you on the shoulder and says -- better grab a coat son, that jacket ain't gonna cut it.  I'm still in New York City, Brooklyn, meeting new folks.  Including a brand new set of family love from my roommate's nearest & dearest in Harlem & the Bronx.  But what thanksgiving normally means is no matter what background, religion, race, age, or status...even for just eating intentions - people stop, gather, and give thanks for life, freedoms we have, and whatever mode of family you may have around you at the time or in the distant cities around the world.  For me this would normally mean driving to my hometown of Louisville, KY, and meeting down at my grandmother's house...two hours late.

"Food is served at 3pm SHARP!!" my mom would put the word out. We arrive at 5pm on cue. I kiss the little ones shorter than me on the heads, and hug those taller than me like I had been lifting weights since last I'd seen them & wanted to let 'em know I was doing good, real good -- but they and I both knew, I had not lifted nothing piano keys.  To the table we'd go, hold hands in a circle around the big wooden table with a guarded white table cloth and mouths began to water like "Say grace already!" My grandmother at the center, my mom, aunt & uncles surrounding her and little cousins and random babies (I meet a new one every year...) fill in the spaces under adult handclasps.  My grandmother would lean in which meant everyone else would stop messin around for 30 seconds and pay attention.  My tallest uncle still laughing under his breathe at one of the kids.  She'd begin...

"Dear Lord, we come to you now just to say thank ya.  Thank ya for the food, for tha family God, and just for just everything God.  You know you been good, you KNOW you been good. And we know you been good too! God just hold us! Keep us! And bless this food.  In yo precious name we pray..... Amen."

Amen children, amen.

Sweet potato pie...