Thanksgiving 2024

It rained last night. A lot. And man, did we need it. It had been a record-setting Autumn; beautiful but painfully dry. In fact, I think describing the season as desiccated would not be hyperbole.

When I saw the weather forecast called for virtually a 100% chance of rain for some time around 2 am that night (morning), I knew that I just had to be awake to witness it. After so long without rain, I wanted to see it, hear it, smell it, and, yes, FEEL it.

So, as a befitting a man of my age and retirement status, I took a nap that evening to prepare myself for the task at hand. The nap was probably unnecessary as my bizarre sleeping habits normally have me up at ungodly hours on a regular basis anyway. Be that as it may, I forged my way through all the late-night talk shows (at least the monologues) and the plethora of exploitive programs that I dis-affectionately refer to as Train Wreck TV.

At approximately 2 a.m. I lowered the TV to see if the forecasters were right for a change and listened closely. And, sure enough, the magic began. I heard it first, on the roof. It was slow and steady but as I continued to listen, now in silence with the TV off, the intensity increased until it became a steady drumbeat, more and more forceful. It was like the increasing intensity of a celestial symphony.

Then, I needed to see the rain. So, I went to the front door and swung it wide open. I was greeted by a blast of WET, cool, fresh air! I could see it now; small rivers running down my street. And I could smell it too, that fresh odor like the rain was washing everything clean again. Then I stepped out of the doorway into the night. I threw my arms wide in the air and let the rain pelt my face. How wonderful! Now I could FEEL it.

After letting the rain wash over me for a few blissful minutes, it was time to step back out of the rain and into the reality that soon I would be in our little home, snuggling in my cushy bed, safe, warm, and secure.

As I sunk deep into the comfort of my bed and pillows, I reflected on how much I must be thankful for. Despite the many trials each of us face (some more so than others) it’s important to take the time to evaluate the good things that are around us, even the smallest things that we often take for granted – like the return of the rain.

As a Sicilian-American, we had huge Thanksgiving feasts combining the best of American and Sicilian culinary traditions at my grandmother’s in Brooklyn. I was surrounded not only by my immediate family but by aunts, uncles, and cousins, too.  And the food! It was magical.

But those days are gone. Long gone. Many at the table have moved on to live only in my memory. But that is beyond my control. What is not is to choose to be thankful for what I DO have. So, we will have a small gathering at our place and feast with my partner Amanda, her sister and her partner, and my sister. I am forever thankful for their love and their presence in my life.

Simple. And simple is good.

My wish is that all of you find the simple things that make your life worth living. It may be in a friend, a kind word given or received, a good meal, the presence of a loved one or their memory. It might be something as simple as listening to the life-giving rain. You will find it if you try.