Thanksgiving
Nov. 25th, 2004 09:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zyzylyWell, it turned out to be a day full of things to give thanks for, with a little bit of healing thrown in.
I cooked and cooked all morning, until the nieces came at around noon, and then I supervised. This is their third year assisting, and they require very little hands-on assistance. Traditionally, my domain has been the kitchen, and it was Arlina who directed the setting of the table. This year the girls did it themselves--they even ironed the napkins! She trained them well, and I could feel her presence in their movements.
Amazingly, the dinner came together perfectly, and on time. We sat down at 5:30 for the blessing. After blessing the food, I invited everyone to offer thanks for how Arlina had touched their lives, and we went around the table. It was very touching to hear the girls talk about how Arlina had guided them, and had always been there for them. Her sisters and brothers talked about how she had worked to bring them to the U.S. her parents simply noted the joy she had brought to their lives. I spoke of how she really made me into a decent person--how she took this rough, unfinished piece of material and shaped it into something beautiful. And I gave thanks for having been given her family to be with me. We all cried for a minute, and then I said "Auntie Arlina says, 'Let's eat'!"
And we did.
Partway through the meal, I became a little sad. I missed her being next to me, and leaning over to whisper to me what a wonderful job I had done on the meal. Just then, her sister leaned over and said, "My sister wants me to tell you that you did such a good job on the dinner, and she loves you!" And I knew that Arlina was there with us.
It could have been a terrible day, but it wasn't. The house wis filled with love, and screaming kids, and the smell of food. It was a beautiful day--the kind we give thanks for.
I cooked and cooked all morning, until the nieces came at around noon, and then I supervised. This is their third year assisting, and they require very little hands-on assistance. Traditionally, my domain has been the kitchen, and it was Arlina who directed the setting of the table. This year the girls did it themselves--they even ironed the napkins! She trained them well, and I could feel her presence in their movements.
Amazingly, the dinner came together perfectly, and on time. We sat down at 5:30 for the blessing. After blessing the food, I invited everyone to offer thanks for how Arlina had touched their lives, and we went around the table. It was very touching to hear the girls talk about how Arlina had guided them, and had always been there for them. Her sisters and brothers talked about how she had worked to bring them to the U.S. her parents simply noted the joy she had brought to their lives. I spoke of how she really made me into a decent person--how she took this rough, unfinished piece of material and shaped it into something beautiful. And I gave thanks for having been given her family to be with me. We all cried for a minute, and then I said "Auntie Arlina says, 'Let's eat'!"
And we did.
Partway through the meal, I became a little sad. I missed her being next to me, and leaning over to whisper to me what a wonderful job I had done on the meal. Just then, her sister leaned over and said, "My sister wants me to tell you that you did such a good job on the dinner, and she loves you!" And I knew that Arlina was there with us.
It could have been a terrible day, but it wasn't. The house wis filled with love, and screaming kids, and the smell of food. It was a beautiful day--the kind we give thanks for.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 10:17 pm (UTC)you have gathered another memory of markings as you continue the journey. blessings upon YOU. shalom and ciao!
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 10:43 pm (UTC)you are in italy?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 10:34 pm (UTC):)
happy thanksgiving!
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 10:36 pm (UTC)Oh, and I bought a new camera!
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 10:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 11:04 pm (UTC)I have been s happy with the g3 canon but am quickly falling in love with Nikon d 70's.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 11:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-26 12:36 am (UTC):)
let me know please what you think- I am going to research it now.
Not that it wasn't good before...
Date: 2004-11-25 10:41 pm (UTC)On a complete tangent...it might be just because you're taking more care to get it right, but your writing is really getting sharp. I think maybe focusing on what's important in life has maybe given you more focus elsewhere, too.
I'm thinking 'book.'
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 10:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 11:08 pm (UTC)And I'm thrilled you got a new camera!
Can't wait to see the wonderful treats you will share with us :)
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 11:11 pm (UTC)=;_;=
Divine Providence. Definitely a comforting sign from God and from your beautiful Arlina that she was with you today.
God bless you, Deacon and thank you for sharing your day with us.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-25 11:52 pm (UTC)This online thing, where we only know each other by inference and the pull of inclination, is sorta dicey sometimes, but I feel you and your wife as people I know, although not well enough to presume
All the same, let me presume to say that Arlina planting seeds in all your hearts has given you a community garden where you have flowers all over the place to cherish and that's a damn fine thing for anyone to leave to the world.
I suspect that's what she meant to do.
Your recovery and your mastery of your soul are a gift of your own soul and Arlina's faith in you.
I believe in it. I suspect she does too.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-26 03:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-26 05:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-26 05:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-26 09:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-26 09:56 am (UTC)*hugs*
Dearone...
Date: 2004-11-26 01:03 pm (UTC)I am so touched by your words of love.
God Bless you.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-26 04:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-27 08:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-29 06:17 pm (UTC)i am so so so so happy that you are surrounded by love and blessed with Arlina's presence. i give thanks for that.