For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today is Thanksgiving at the Lewis/Nichols house. Jimmy and I are leaving Tuesday to spend the official Thanksgiving Holiday with our friends Cyndi Lee and Brad Bateman in Lynchburg , Virginia. My ex-husband, Jackie and his wife, my friend, Leah, are coming tonight. So is my daughter Katie, her husband, Greg and their daughter, Amelia. My son, Jordan, and his partner, Travis, will be here as well. I set the table and the turkey is ready for pop in the oven. We really did a number on this little turkey. We brined it, we put a herb butter under the skin, and we prayed over it If all goes as planned, we will cook it and eat it. I am grateful for the abundance we have in our lives.
There will be nine of us in all.
I started cooking last Sunday and I am still at it today. Cranberry sauce, whipped sweet potatoes, Southern style cornbread dressing, roasted carrots and parsnips, and sautéed brussel sprouts. Jordan will be here in a few minutes to make his famous apple, cranberry crisp. We will have more than enough to eat.
Of course, there will be wine, lots of wine. Katie dropped off two bottles of red earlier today when she brought the roasting pan. I am sure Jackie will bring red as well and I have two bottles of white on ice. We also have a growler of Plisner beer from the new Wiseacre Brewery on Board Street here in Memphis. I have to give them a plug. Wiseacre is a fantastic operation, well run, great product, good energy and a boon for the Broad Street revitalization.
I did not drink yesterday. I thought about it, but decided to take a pass. We took our grand-daughter, Amelia to see Peter Pan at Playhouse on the Square. My son, Jordan, directed the show. His choreography made this production, the best I have ever seen. And Nana, the dog, exuded personality. As a result of Jordan’s direction, Nana used human gestures and related to the children as if she were really their nurse and not just an animal. Peter seemed more boyish than I remember. I loved that. Everything about the show was wonderful. Anyway, I chose not to drink. I had a wonderful evening with Amelia and my husband, Jimmy. I noticed that I felt relaxed, at ease. When I drink, I feel edgy. I woke up a little tired, but ready to great the day. I wonder what tonight bring?
One day at a time. I am stone cold sober and loving every minute of it.
I want to plug my friend, Susan Wait’s new book, Another Round, a Story of Addiction, Forgiveness, and Transformation. Buy it on Amazon today.
Writing into the Light 