When Holiday Plans Change
November 20, 2012
Posted By: Shaunescy
It's official. My thanksgiving party is cancelled. sigh
My son has Strep. Yep, strep. And guess what? My love has it, too.
My Hutterite bird will not be brined and roasting in the oven. We are going to hunker down under blankets and piles of kid movies and tissues.
Over the past hundred years we've been trying to create a tradition (an exaggeration, of course but I am feeling predictably pouty) we have hosted friends and family and orphans. Not orphans from the orphanage but 'holiday orphans', the folks that can't make it out of our mountain town, back to their far flung families' homes.
Oh, how love it. I love how the house smells and the fact that I have thought about and planned and carved out an event that has hot-toddies, festive food and sweets for everyone.
The clearing of the counters to make way for the chopping and prepping and 22 pound bird wrestling. The waves of messiness and how it all gets cleared so quickly with teamwork. It's a visible physical production of love. A kitchen rain-dance of goodwill.
I love how it gets so loud in the house that the music playlist specifically crafted for the day becomes impossible to hear. The booming laughter of my girlfriends, the men with their low rumble interspersed with the staccato beat of kids calling for one of the million things that kids call for during the buzz of a party.
At the table we keep it pretty casual. We ask the smallest people to tell us what they are thankful for and some of the adults make toasts. And for a couple of hours we share the shimmery happiness of each others good company.
So yes, the goofy and awkward Bunnyfufu is a bit teary and prone to audible sighs as I write this. Yet, the eternal optimist, the fighting mama bear spirit is going to take a moment to and a few deep breaths and put into words the perspective that I need.
Deep breath in, negative feelings out. whoosh . . .
Montana is a beautiful place and I am continuously thankful to live and raise a family here. And it's not just the natural beauty, it's the community and my friends and the schools and the parks and the things to do.
My gig at the magazine is pretty much a perfect scenario. I cannot begin to tell you how much laughter in my daily life means to me. To get the chance to try out the things that I do and tell y'all about it tickles me to no end. Pole fitness, who knew I'd have that to be thankful for this year?!?
In a couple of days, everyone is going to be feeling a lot better. We won't have a turkey or a crowd, but I am going to make steaks and spinach salad. There will be pomegranates. There will be ice cream and popsicles. And the music will be good.
And maybe I'll take the time while everyone is down with the bug to plan a Festivus party complete with the "Airing of Grievances" and "Feats of Strength", and the labeling of easily explainable events as "Festivus miracles".
Just thinking about it makes my heart swell with mirth. Ahhh, Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!
All my best, Bunnyfufu
------------------
I know you have stories to tell. I know that it's not just me who's had holiday disappointments or mishaps. Please do tell, 'cuz I am sure that in the next few days a Bunny could use some cheering up! A kid friendly video recommendation would be welcomed, too!
