Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner: My 6 Priorities
As I plan the logistics of Thanksgiving, opening up our table, making the grocery list, figuring out who is bringing what, I am also thinking about the emotional and spiritual dimension to our time together. Here are the things I brainstormed that I hope are present at my Thanksgiving dinner:
Belonging
I hope everyone who comes to Thanksgiving at my house feels a sense of belonging. I want everyone to know and feel that they are valued just for being who they are. There are no expectations for anyone to “fit-in”, you fit-in by being you.
Imperfection
Food will burn or come out too dry, our couch is covered in blankets to cover the holes, the dogs will beg for food throughout the meal, glasses will shatter, wine will spill. This is all to be expected and embraced. My list of hopes for our time together is aspirational, not guaranteed.
Nourishment
I want diet culture to take a hike at our meal. I hope everyone can enjoy the food without fear of consequences or sinfulness or other ridiculous associations diet culture assigns to food. I hope people feel free to eat whatever they want without a side of guilt or pressure.
Delight
Each person has their own special spark and I hope everyone gets to shine. I hope stories, jokes, wisdom, opinions, nostalgia, compliments, learning and teaching take place during our gathering.
Connection
The last time we were all together was this summer. Since this gathering so much has happened: starting college, applying to college, soccer championships, job offers, new businesses, books being published, and new romantic relationships. In other words, there is so much to discuss. Being together allows us to catch up and keep up with our swirling, changing and evolving lives.
And Of Course Gratitude
We have all learned that we cannot take being together for granted. Being together, in person, is a gift. Hugs, sitting on laps, smooshing together on the couch, clinking glasses together during a toast, dancing and wrestling are all things we can do when we are physically together and I hope we all enjoy the gift of physical presence.
Photo by Prchi Palwe on Unsplash
