thanksgiving and a sunset

well today is canadian thanksgiving, it has always been my favorite day of the year. It has been that way for as long as i could remember. this day would mean that I would be in montreal surrounded with family, it would mean trips to the farmers market, baskets full of acorn squash, pumpkins, beets, potatoes, onions. it would mean kitchen counters full flour, pie crust, apples and chocolate, it would mean a drunken turkey in the oven. It would mean kids running in the yard, giggles and dogs by our feet cleaning the floor before we could notice it was dirty. It would be people no it would be family, close family sitting around the table, plates piled high with mouth watering food and traditions carried out, "what are you grateful for" would be asked around the table, dad would speak frenglish ( a speech that would be carried out in english with pieces of broken french) he would make us laugh so hard to the point that tears would form and in the middle of his humor he would say something that would be heartbreakingly accurate. mum would sit exhausted with the most beautiful smile and you could not help but think how lucky you are to know her and how lucky you are to have been born of her.....

it would also mean that in a few days i would be turning a year older, it would mean that my mum an i would travel across new england, fall drives, bakeries, laughter. there would be favorite songs played on the radio and way to many mochas...there would be the occasional b&b that was far from quaint. goals would be made and discussed, it would mean conversation on the last year's good and bad..and dreams would be shared....and yes some shopping -mostly window.....

well this year things did not happen in that way, but instead my mum surprised me here in providence. we will be taking day drives through new england towns and stunning color, cooking, baking, sewing. there will be blankets on the sofa and movies playing...laughter tears and revelations...and to many mochas of course

today there was a twenty two mile bike ride that i am so grateful to have not missed out on and to have survived. and in a few days there will be a " harvest thank god i made it through this year birthday dinner"

and then there is today's beautiful sunset outside my window