Leftovers

The holiday weekend is drawing to a close, and we've eaten our fill of turkey and dressing, a sweet potato casserole that could be served for dessert, rich side dishes, and pie piled high with whipped cream. So many calories in such a short time. Yum.
This has been a particularly satisfying season of gratitude. We've enjoyed beautiful seasonal weather, even color in the leaves. It's been my first fall semester of retirement and I love it. I've been to school a number of times to sub and each visit reinforces my belief that I made the right decision to retire when I did. It's great to keep up with the new and the young, but when your season is over, things just don't feel the same anymore. I'm too old school to be comfortable with everyone sitting around with a smartphone during class. All those kids eating lunch all over the school building, just feels like a cluster f^#k to me.
The holiday brought family together. I love watching Sloan being the big cousin with Molly, and seeing Grunc reading dinosaur books to Tyler. Sleeping with a grandchild is so satisfying. That little warm body that takes its half out of the middle of your bed is so peaceful, so completely relaxed and trusting in God and you and the Universe to guard her through the night. But the weekend also brought loss to a dear friend whose family endured the sudden termination of a much anticipated pregnancy. It is hard to find any way to be grateful for that kind of sadness.
Thanksgiving weekend brings out the best and worst in us. Filling food banks and our tummies, watching kids play and college football rivalries, starting wish lists for Santa and greedy lunatics storming Walmart stores for cheap TVs. It has all become part of our tradition. The leftovers will soon be used up, but the memories last and they don't take up any room in the fridge.