If there’s anything you can count on as parent, it’s that life will forever be unpredictable. Tomorrow is the official beginning of the holiday season. Thanksgiving Day. The delicious turkey dinner and raucous laughter of my family is something we look forward to every year. Full bellies and good times all around.
As my sons woke up this morning, coughing and sweating from fevers, it became glaringly obvious that this year was going to be different. Instead of sopping up every last drippity-drop of my mom’s famous gravy, I’ll be taking temperatures, doling out Kleenex and fever reducers while cuddling my sneezing, coughing little men.
Having sick children and missing the time with our extended families bums me out, and trust me, neither of us is looking forward to calling our moms, but there’s another issue I’ve yet to wrap my head around…
For the first time in my life, I’ll be preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for my own family.
Our moms have always been in charge of the bulk of the cooking, because we spend, literally, six hours traveling to spend time with both families. I usually pick up a couple pies at the market and call it a day.
I’m more than a touch nervous about delivering a feast worthy of Thanksgiving to my little pilgrims. Sick or not, they deserve a fabulous holiday. I WILL give them a proper Thanksgiving, but how? I’ve never cooked a turkey, nor do I have the time to thaw one. My gravy is tasty, but always lumpy. The only thing I have going in the holiday smorgasbord department is my mad baking skills. Pumpkin pecan pie does not a feast make.
And then, once the meal is taken care of, how do I make up for the lack of festivity? My kids are old enough to know that Thanksgiving means a house full of children to be naughty with, snitches from Grandma and bear hugs from Grandpa. They look forward to the togetherness part of the holiday, more than the food.
So, because this is such short notice, the hubz and I have made some compromises. With sick kids, there’s no telling what tomorrow will bring. What we do know is that they’re going to need us. So, we’re not going to be adventurous and try our hands at speed-thawing a turkey. Instead, as much as it’s going to stink not to have the air thick with the mouthwatering aroma of a roasting turkey, we’re going to order a Thanksgiving meal from the supermarket. I’ll still make the sides and desserts, but the main event is being outsourced.
As for the family festivities…
There’s no replacing time with the fam, but I can do my best to make the day special. I got a couple crafts for them to work on, rented some Christmas movies and bought some peppermint cocoa for some high-quality cuddling. If they’re feeling up to it, maybe, just maybe, the tree will come down from the attic.
Thanksgiving may involve more tissues and fewer bear hugs this year, but it will still be special. Having a family means expecting the unexpected and working with it… even on a holiday. From my family to yours, have a happy, safe and hopefully germ-free Thanksgiving.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/71217725@N00/1610068
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