A SEASON OF WARMTH, A TIME FOR NOSTALGIA
GOOD MORNING,
Picture yourself waking up on a crisp holiday morning, sunlight filtering through the trees, casting warm patterns on the floor. The scent of turkey and cookies wafting through the air, the parade is on the television, and mom is bopping around the kitchen. It’s a season on warmth.
You’re looking forward to your favorite cousin or uncle coming through the door with a freshly prepared dish of their own.
You remember those years helping load up the car or truck with snacks, blankets, and kids for the seasonal hayride, or spending the day in the kitchen with mom, peeling potatoes and washing dishes.
THE EXCITEMENT OF COMMUNITY
—of friends and family—has a way of rekindling connections and stoking the fire of memories that may have faded.
But snap out of it—today, you’re the mom, and it’s your turn to do the hosting and carry on the tradition.
As you prepare for the arrival of family, you must make sure that all the traditions are set in stone and that your next generation additions work well together. In the past you just needed a few chairs, a good meal and music, your circle has expanded over the years. Work friends are coming early to watch the game, your now grown niece and her daughter are coming to help with dinner. Your mom is simply the honored guest at your Thanksgiving shindig.
My, things have changed and now your home is the family home. It’s a new season for the A season on warmth. It’s most noticeable as you hear the engine of a car pull into your driveway at 10:30am. Is it uncle bob with the pumpkins for the porch? Or Aunt Sue with a few apple pies ready for the oven. We hope it’s not Aunt Sue, that turkey needs a good five hours, and the freezer is still full. You’re just getting to the yams.
Remember when you begged mom to take you to grandma’s early so you could be her helper. Do you recall the moments spent decorating the porch, transforming it into a warm welcome with seasonal decor.
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE
Yep, Uncle Bob’s at the door with your fresh pumpkins and plastic leaves to dress your porch. Of course, you’ve got your own style he’s going to have to work around. Your vintage trucks are reminiscent of those old hayrides in your childhood.
Every adornment, small pumpkins or decorative leaf is more than just decor; they symbolize the journey everyone took to get here. Whether it’s your niece’s laughter echoing from the backyard or the clinking of dishes as your parents set the table, each sound paints a picture of togetherness. This year it’s your turn, or it is your turn again.
The doorbell rings again. It’s been some time since uncle bob showed up with the pumpkins. He’s now nestled on the couch watching the Thanksgiving Day game while you pull the turkey out of the oven.
Now’s a great time for Aunt Sue to show up. “Ding Dong” Uncle Bob gets up to open the door to exactly who you hoped it would be. She stopped to pick up mom for the day, so you didn’t have to. So now here they are, sisters, matriarchs, pie bearers. They have arrived and are ready to chow down. Uncle Bob, however, wants to wait until the end of the 3rd quarter at least. It’s a hometown game and he want to make sure the score is good and high before he leaves that couch again.
The last stragglers have arrived. Coats have been hung on the backs of chairs as the closet is stuffed. The children’s table has been set up by an excited Uncle Bob, because his team won. You, your mom and aunt are getting the plates together and setting the main table. The clinking of dishes and silverware is now the orchestra of culinary excellence as the turkey is brought out in full view of everyone. Just like old times, only newer.
Happy Holidays from Lesra. Enjoy this season on warmth
