YAMSGIVING 2020 - My Holiday Reflection
Usually the Holiday Season marks the closing of the calendar year; the mood shifts; ideally putting positive energies into the universe the traditional Xmas movies are popping up on our respective TV streaming services, commercials all with the holiday jingles, all the messaging in the stores have us thinking turkey and hot drinks with cinnamon spices and marshmellow garnish. Whatever nostalgic memory you hold near to your heart during this time of year; 2020 tried its hardest to put an asterik next to your traditions this year. My family celebrated our first virtual Thanksgiving; our highlight being the welcoming of the latest additions to the family; 2 healthy additions; twins made their debut into this world on 11/26; and we were able to meet via zoom. Another parcel of good news was an announced commitment for my young cousin from DC to continue playing football at the University of Tulane.
A couple quick reflections; first and foremost I feel extremely lucky and blessed to have been able to spend the joint with my parents in their home; my parents normally host so although their house not as filled with nieces, nephews, and 2nd cousins of auntie nem and all; it was nice to have nostalgic triggers of pulling into that driveway on Thanksgiving day.
A couple first: 1) bro decided to smoke two birds this year, a good sized turkey and a duck. Quick disclaimer, we don’t do shit like this, I barely like turkey as it is so this was going to be a stretch. I’ll say I trust my brother’s skills in the kitchen and grill so even though its not his immediate pallet I don’t think it was him. But no thanks on the duck for me. The process seemed fun, feel bad he put in all that work for it to go under enjoyed.
I made a pan of mac n cheese. I been seeing people saying thats a big deal like you have to get jumped in or put in some real ‘big mama’ levels of work in before you can just bring a pan of mac n cheese to the holiday shindig. I guess my fam just don’t move on that type of time; it was coincidentally other pans of mac n cheese there though on some just in case shit. It wasn’t the best in the world but I think I did my thing. Was supposed to do an apple pie; got lazy. So now its hella apples at my moms crib for no reason.
To wrap this thing up; even without the games of spades, and dominoes, and passing down the tradition of ‘spoons’ to the youngsters; that is exactly what this time of year is about. And this year more than anything tells me to appreciate it all; cuz shit different.
