Life Is Like a Box Of Chocolates...

I wrote this a few days ago on paper, but only just now hit a computer to add it here.  It was written Thanksgiving morning as I prepared to drive up to my friend's house to put the turkey in the oven.  He and I have run our own "Family of Choice" Thanksgiving for 3 or 4 years now and we do the cooking together.  Here's what I wrote:

This morning as I choose the perfect clothes to wear for Thanksgiving - you know, the ones that will be both stylish and practical for running around the kitchen in - I have found myself thinking about my jewelry selection.  I pick up a bracelet given to me recently by a friend who made it specifically for me, specifically to go with my turquoise-blue clothing (of which there is much).  I place the bracelet on my wrist in silent thanks and receiving the love with which it was given and I think "I'm going to wear only jewelry given to me by people who love me".  I look in my jewelry box and immediately my eye is drawn to the rainbow moonstone necklace given me by a friend years ago.  He knew my love of semi-precious stones and somehow knew that I would love this piece - it also has turquoise-colors in it.  Then I'm looking at my earrings and realizing how many of those were given to me by loving friends.  I choose a set that were hand-made glass teardrops with, you guessed it, turquoise blue swirls.  Now I am fully dressed in my friends' love for me and I feel decidedly thankful and loved.

It is a 45-minute drive to the location of our dinner.  On the way, I call friends and family to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.  When I get an answering machine, I simply leave my message saying something like "Hi, it's Kelle.  I'm just calling to tell you how much I love you and how happy I am that you are in my life.  Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!" 

Once at the house, my friend and I jump into action, getting the turkey ready so that it can be done in time for supper.  Then, there is a lull.  We have done much of the prep work yesterday - working in quiet camaraderie, each providing support for the other's dishes.  So we have things well in hand today.  There is only the arranging of the furniture and some last-minute cleaning to do for the next few hours.

And so I sit here, turkey in the oven, pen in hand, jotting down some notes from this day so that I don't lose this feeling.  In a couple of hours, our guests will descend upon the house with laughter and joy and I will be swept away in the moment and brought through to an exhausted but happy ending.  But for now, there is the quiet of the oven clicking away and my pen scratching the paper.  And for now, in peace, I have my own thanks-giving.

Thank you, universe, for all the wonderful people you have sent to my life.  Thank you for the lessons I have learned.  Thank you for the person I have become.  Thank you for the love I receive now and always from those around me.  Thank you for the partnership of the man who could not be my long-term lover but indeed is a perfect friend.  Thank you for the quiet time today that I may reflect and enjoy it.  Thank you.