Papaw, Potatoes & Piano Playing...

I've had 3 Thanksgiving meals already, and it's not Thanksgiving yet. No complaints, I'm just saying I've never been one to turn down mashed potatoes.
My first Thanksgiving meal was last Thursday with the Pea at the Pond. A "shout-out" goes to the cafeteria ladies - I love their food. (My Mother is reading this and saying, "Seriously? I packed a sack lunch every day for you for years and NOW you decide to love school lunches?") Anyhooooooo, I helped myself to salad (both kinds) mashed potatoes AND stuffing, turkey and green beans, sweet potatoes, a roll and banana pudding. Once I reached the sweet tea, it occurred to me I was probably supposed to choose a meat and 2 sides instead of the self-proclaimed Sampler Platter I piled on my tray. Nevertheless, nothing but a smile from the lunchroom ladies. LOVE THEM! So the Pea and I sat down and I mostly listened and nodded while inhaling the meal. Partially because I was hungry, but partially because of strategy. One can learn a lot from the conversations of second graders.
Last Friday I had lunch at school with the Bug for her grade's Thanksgiving. Again I piled on the fixin's. Again the sweet cafeteria ladies smiled. Again I inhaled the meal. Again I listened to the wild and wonderful conversations, this time of fourth graders.
But Saturday's Thanksgiving meal took the cake (well, apple pie). My Aunt J graciously invited our family to her lovely home on a lovely farm in Kentucky. You won't find a more Rockwell-ian (yes, I did just coin that word...) Thanksgiving anywhere. Mounds of mashed potatoes, green beans, made from scratch butter rolls, turkey, corn, homemade macaroni (or mac-a-noodles, as I used to request when I was a kiddo). China on the table, crystal, big pitchers of sweet tea and lemonade. Family everywhere. Ages ranging from my cousin's newborn twins to my 94 year old grandfather.
I sat next to my Papaw during the meal and caught up on all the goings-on. He just had cataract surgery on both eyes and he hopes to be able to read by Christmas. I mentally set aside some books to loan him. (Like me, he's a sucker for Yancey and Strobel.)He chatted about the new gadgets my Dad helped install...an intercom system, hospital bed, medical-alert bracelet ("Look, all I have to do is press this button." "No Papaw! Don't really press it NOW!!")He told me all about Brooklyn, one of his home health nurses. The Meals-On-Wheels delivered to his door, the doctors appointments. And then something happened that I don't remember ever happening during our family Thanksgiving meal...
My Aunt P, who is an accomplished pianist, gathered everyone close to the piano in Uncle B's den. Papaw grabbed his walker and strolled over to an armchair, and settled himself next to the piano bench. Aunt P began to play hymns, by heart, and my Papaw....my 94 year old grandfather...began to sing. Loud and beautiful and clear. I have never heard him sing before, ever. I've seen pictures of him with guitars, I knew he was musically gifted, I'd just never heard him.
A few hymns later, the Bug and the Pea scrambled up beside Aunt P and began to sing as well. They tried to teach Papaw, "Peace Like A River...", that was a new one for him! Then they dove into Christmas carols, as my cousin's newborn twins drifted off to sleep in their pumpkin seat carriers.
Thursday we've been graciously invited to spend Thanksgiving with a sweet neighbor...who also happens to be a fabulous cook, I'm just sayin'... And the food will be amazing. But more than the food, I'm thankful beyond measure for the amazing blessings God has bestowed on me. Blessings that include time spent with chatty second graders, lunchroom ladies, feisty fourth graders, next door neighbors, infant second cousins, old friends, and new friends, and Papaws singing about the birth of baby Jesus...