As an American, from an early age, I learned of the first Thanksgiving. Today I will tell a story of the last Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is an American holiday, but it is also a Casa de Esperanza holiday. And, for many years, we have celebrated in a big way. Preparations have always been an exciting part of the meal. There was excitement as we began, but it was bittersweet this year as we all knew this was our last Thanksgiving together.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we felt we needed to do Thanksgiving early. Nicole and I chose November 18. It was both happy and sad as we also called it the despedida para todos (the going away part for everyone).
Friday afternoon I took the cheese, onions and celery up to the girls house. Everyone wanted to grate cheese and chop celery. Daniela graciously said she would do the onions.
The onions were strong. It was not long before Daniela had a tear or two running down her cheeks. There were tears sliding down my cheeks, too. I kept saying those onions are strong, but it might not have been the onions that were causing my tears. I wanted to break down and sob, but I was able to control that.
The cheese graters finished first and moved to celery. Daniela continued to work alone. I began doing dishes. Soon the celery was finished and I did more dishes. Some of the girls left. Dani, Ana and I finished the onions. Dani left when the onions were finished. Ana and I finished cleaning up. Then we hugged and hugged and hugged. Those onions. They got to me again.
Later, Haley and Emma showed up with pizza. We had pizza and coke. Then we began the pumpkin pies and cornbread.
Emma got to use the mixer this year. She giggled and giggled and exclaimed, "this is so fun." Haley made the second layer of the pumpkin pies.
Emma went to bed after the first of the cornbread was in the oven. Haley stayed up and finished the cornbread. I did dishes and some things and crashed around 11:30. The alarm went off at 3:00 and I got the first turkey in the roaster. I went back to bed, but it was not long until Emma was saying, "Grammy, are we going to start cooking soon?" I groaned and said, "yes, Emma, We are."
It was a while before Haley rolled out of bed.
Emma learned to saute the onions and celery while Haley crumbled the cornbread and biscuits. They must be the best sauter and crumbler around.
The smells coming from my house were delicious. Kids were running in and out of my house all day. Nicole made banana pudding with the girls and cookies with the boys. The first turkey was perfect. But, there was a heaviness in the air.
Haley "painted" the second turkey and stirred the white sauce for the macaroni and cheese. When Haley got tired I stirred two pots at once.
At last the meal was ready. We all changed clothes.
Those onions were getting to me again.
Denis led us in prayer and then I said what I had to say. Then Nicole talked. We opened up to anyone that wanted to say anything. Three or four of the employees chose to speak. And Brayan, did too.
Those onions had me into a big blubbering mess. The onions were getting to some of the girls, too.
The line formed and we filled our plates and began to eat. Music lightened the mood.
They even got me to dance. That was the funniest part of the whole day.
It was a special day. A special Thanksgiving. A special despedida. There were lots of hugs and tears.
