Thanksgiving

This has truly been a time of reflection and humility as I had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with people who I can truly describe as, the salt of the Earth. Allow me to explain....

I've had a bit of a bad attitude lately. I've been mildly bitter because my husband has been going off and having fun with his friends, doing all the things he normally loves to do, while I've been stuck at home with a sick baby. He of course always asks if I mind if he goes, to which I always reply, "no." But I've been sitting at home stirring with jealousy and self pity because my life had become so difficult and boring.

He asked me Monday night if he could go on a hunting trip with a work friend, possibly an over night one. Being the nice wife that I am, I said yes but of course was a little peeved that he was leaving us AGAIN to go have fun while I was left at home alone with Leila.

A little while into Tuesday he asked me if I would bring Leila and come out to the ranch where he was and spend the night with him. It wasn't that far from home, the people were wonderfully gracious, and this way we would have friends to spend Thanksgiving with. I said I would, but inside I was very apprehensive and even a little miffed about going. How fun could it possibly be to spend Thanksgiving with perfect strangers? We were supposed to stay home, cook ribs, and finish decorating our tree and I was annoyed that he had seemed to have forgotten this fact.

The Zuckero's are truly good old fashioned country folk. Grandma and Grandpa, as I was instructed to call them, have a very simple yet fulfilling way of life. They served us vegetables locally grown and sold, they immediately took to Leila and hugged and kissed her as if she were their own. They welcomed us with open arms and I'm embarrassed at my attitude going into it.

Grandma never even batted an eye that she had two more mouths to feed at Thanksgiving dinner, and in reality, seemed truly happy to have us there. Her pecan pie was the best I've ever had (sorry to say that Mom) and her dressing was to die for. She prepared it all without any stress or chaos. It always seems at my house it's a mad dash to get everything cooked, trying to figure out the order the dishes need to go in the oven, and there's no time to really sit and enjoy each other's company. While at Grandma Zuckero's house you couldn't even tell she'd prepared ten different dishes. I don't know when she did it, but they were all done, on time, still warm, and delicious.

My favorite part of the entire trip though was after the blessing was said, everyone went around and said what they were grateful for. Grandma simply stated, "I'm grateful for this one right here," while she patted her husband's hand and got choked up. That's all she said, but all she had to say to let everyone know that after almost 60 years of marriage, she was still crazy about her husband and felt blessed to sit by his side. It was something to truly be in awe of. They weren't overly affectionate or lovey dovey, but you could tell how much love and respect they had for one another.

I felt ashamed for the feelings I'd been having lately. I have a wonderful life. There will always be food on the table, we'll never have to wonder how the bills will be paid. We have a family that loves us and supports us, even from across the country. But most of all, I have a dedicated husband and perfect daughter. Who cares if after a hard days or weeks work he wants to unwind by driving his car? Who cares that Leila had the chicken pox and I spent a week taking care of her? WHO CARES???? We're alive, well, happy, and blessed beyond measure. I have everything I could ever ask for and more. Shame on me for my self pity.

I hope after another fifty years to follow the example of Grandma and Grandpa Zuckero. I hope to be sitting by his side at the dinner table, surrounded by family and friends, and getting choked up by my love for him and our life. It's something to work for to be sure, and something to spend the rest of my life aspiring to.