Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 1, 2024
The arrival of Thanksgiving and the coming Christmas season brings the mix of memories, some warm and life-giving, others more difficult. A seasonal truth, for me, would be that both seasons are best experienced and enjoyed in the company of family and friends. Receptions, open houses and dinners are opportunities to tell and listen to stories of past gatherings; the hope in the gatherings and coming of days unfolding with each new sunrise. We cling tightly to each other for reassurance and also loosely to allow for the growth of others and ourselves as we are intended to become.
- A current fiction character asked, “Are you happy?” On the next page the writer asked what the reasons are for your Yes, the reasons for your No, or why a combination and the ongoing bounce between Yes and No. So, in general, Are You Happy?
** There are moments when I want a guaranteed uplifting, feel good experience. At those times I trust going to U-Tube, Facebook, or Goggle or a series of videos produced by Steve Hartman including his series ‘On the Road With or Kindness 101.” If you have a “go to” site for you, please share in the Comments page at the end of the Sunday Letter.
The Sacred and the Relational: I was recently asked about…My warmest Thanksgiving memory? My response was at my grandparents and their east Texas farm near Gladewater. The Thanksgiving meal was served on a long table in their country kitchen, between the stove and the sink. They had no separate dining room. Our family and the families of two brothers and their families shared the table. My grandfather’s chair at one end and my grandmother’s at the other. There was no children’s table in another room. We all squeezed together, as a family table should be. Grandkids had watched my grandmother ring the necks of chickens, now fried and piled on platters along with garden green beans, shelled peas, corn on the cob, squash, iron skillet cornbread, and grandkid’s churned butter. My grandfather prayed the prayer of all humble farmers. Platters and plates were passed. Tea glasses were filled with ice chipped from the block of ice delivered on the day before. The activities and growth of grandkids were shared, along with crops, sales of pigs and calves, and the passing of neighbors since our last table together. Following slices of pie, the men left for porch chairs and the women to clear the table wash and dry pots, platters, and dishes.
Soon cars were loaded with food and kids, departing “The Green Valley Farm” for the urban of homes and life different than a long table in a country kitchen. Grandparents waved to the last departing car before making the evening walk to the barn to milk and feed a different Thanksgiving meal to the chickens, pigs, cows, and Bill the horse too.
Roy, sharing the what was in this day of what is
I have similar memories of going to my Aunt’s house in Southeast Missouri. The table was always full of food grown on their farm and a ham from one of their hogs. I was a picky eater so my plate was limited. They drank milk from their cows but not me. There was no indoor plumbing and a trip to the outhouse was my worse nightmare. My stepdad would have to take me to the gas station in town and my cousins would laugh at me. I do miss those days of family celebrations. It seems when the older generation died so did the get together. The cousins are spread out all over the country and the glue that held us together is gone. Thank you Roy for jogging my memory about those days.
2 grparents both dry land farmers. 60 miles apart
One had a tractor; one had mules. One had indoor bathrooms; one had outhouse. One had an old farm truck; the other caught rides to town, 10 miles away.
One had Bill the horse; one a harder life.
As child I went more for Bill the horse and indoor plumbing. All memories alive and mostly well within my no longer a youth self.
Gosh, Roy, did you knock down a few cobwebs in this old brain on days past with your prose. While not a farm I do have wonderful memories around my Grandmother’s table in her house (from Sears) on the outskirts (then) of Waco, TX. Ice still delivered by the Ice Man, milk dropped by the back screened-in porch, and a turkey acquired from a local farmer for the occasion. The smells from that kitchen with me still. Later in life, Dad would stuff the turkey with cornbread from the evening before that he served with a great Navy Bean soup. Dad (A naval officer) would always have a marine or navy guy at the table with us – each far from home but sharing a tradition even still. Years later (1968), while in the navy myself, I would share dinner with my commanding officer and this family in Japan. Only then did I realize the true meaning of Thanksgiving and the connectedness there is with all families.
We are all the better for your sharing
Ever consider adding notes which might develop into a writing, a story???
You draft, I will gently edit. You canm we can do this………..Roy
Great letter Roy, a good job conjuring up the memories.. Mam-ma & Pap-pa’s 8×50′ trailer, Thanksgiving with them, my mom and and dad and my sister.. was just us 6 for years… just back from Reno, spent the holiday with daughter and son and 6 grandkids.. big table , big spread and all helped prepare.. wrestled the devices from the kids long enough to have some good family time , 17 folks at the table.. ages 76 down to 2.. very blessed to be a part.. Family!! Happy Thanksgiving to the SL family.. md
Big and long table of family, as it should be.
You add to my writing with your own truths.
Good to read,,,,,,,,,Roy
I have the blessing of being a Happy person. I declare it quite a bit as it nurtures the resonance within me. I’ve had my share of tragedies as we all have. But in the end, that deep feeling right inside the solar plexus is Happiness. May Happiness and Goodness abound. Aho. XOXOX
Yes on you showing us all Happiness.
You have both feet on the ground….facing life as solid citizen.
a Reply with respect and appreciation
I learn from and with you dear teacher of and on the path.
Roy