Thanksgiving Day

Early in the morning, sitting with a warm cup of coffee with cream and sugar sipping lightly, looking out the window at the orange and golden leaves falling off the trees. The sun comes up and shines through the trees making the icy chill warm up a little. The warm coffee feels comforting inside me. The house is clean, the fridge is full as well as the counters. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, a frozen turkey, and ingredients for the rest of the Thanksgiving meal. The table has a candle lit in the center to warm the colors in the dining room, and to display the neatly set table. It is so quiet in the house that I can hear the clock ticking, and the early morning birds singing. It is so peaceful knowing there is barely a movement at this time of day, but as soon as the rest of the house gets up it will be busy.
My mom is in the kitchen cooking and cleaning. The heat from the stove makes the house so hot and stuffy. Dad is running around getting last minute ingredients, wine, and anything else we forgot the day before. As I run around cleaning the house, giving the last touches. Sweat is dripping off my face and all the windows are open for air even though the leaves off the trees are blowing into our house. By late afternoon I can smell the turkey. The spice that is sprinkled on the turkey every time the oven door opens makes me pause for a moment to take in the heavenly smell. The house looks spotless now and as I walk past the kitchen the counters are even more filled with homemade food. The candles are all lit and the house has a cozy aura.
Now it is time for the family to come. Laughter of all kinds, people all shapes and sizes. Some calm, some chattering away, the children outside playing in the leaves and the men drinking wine. The house is so small that the more people the hotter it gets. Then you hear, "Bing" and we all know the turkey is ready. Mom says, "Supper is ready!" and we all sit down at the table. You look at the counter and you see a steaming turkey and the stuffing coming out, the mashed potatoes, vegetables with butter melting over them, freshly made bread and buns, pumpkin pie, apple pie and pumpkin cake. It smells like heaven. Now the best part is coming... the food on your plate as is slowly disappears and goes for the dessert.
This is when I give thanks for the people around me, the food I've eaten and everything else I can think of. This is my idea of a perfect Thanksgiving. Now after everyone leaves the house is a mess again, and we snack on the leftovers while cleaning up.
Everyone is in bed, and I sit in the living room listening to the silence. Nothing but the wind, and the clock.