A shared meal, and its importance, appears numerous times in Marcello’s Promise. It’s fun to write about food and see if I can make my own mouth water in the process. A steaming platter of roast beef swimming in juices, bread warm from the oven with a golden crust, slathered with butter. Italians are great cooks, but that’s only half the proposition. The other half—maybe the better half—is nourishing the soul through a shared meal with family and friends. At this time of year, I’m somewhat dismayed when we rush from Halloween to Christmas with scant attention given to Thanksgiving and the grateful hearts I hope it inspires. Starting with Veterans Day in early November when we salute our soldiers past and present, why not dedicate the whole month to giving thanks? With that in mind, I’d love to share what has filled my life with gratitude.
God’s gift of Life, the precious people I’ve pictured below, a peaceful sunset on the lake, friends of all kinds, a mountain top in Italy, the Three Tenors in Concert, a book that’s so good you don’t want it to end, molten lava cake, the scent of lilacs, laughter. What about you? What has filled your life with gratitude? When you gather this Thanksgiving whether it’s around the dining room table with your entire clan, the Formica table in the kitchen set for one, two or three, or serving at a homeless shelter, don’t forget what is at the heart of this holiday and give thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving!
June 1939
Jane, this is a lovely reminder about those simple, precious things that ignite gratitude in our hearts and minds — if we only pause to notice them. I enjoy following your blog and eagerly await your book!
So wonderful to hear from you, Marti. The Thanksgiving holiday is over but the spirit of gratitude lives on. I find that easier to do as the years go by, don’t you?