As I sit at my dining room table considering the menu for Thanksgiving dinner, I can’t help but feel a twinge of sadness for the holidays I won’t have this year.
The original plan was to spend a couple of nights in New York City while my sons enjoyed their traditional feast with their Dad and his large family in the Berkshires.
I imagined that things would be different in the city than in past years. More time spent outdoors, timed entries to a museum perhaps, meals taken to go or eaten al fresco. It still sounded like an adventure and a welcome change of scenery in a year that has caused the world to shrink into the smallest of places due to a global pandemic. I’d take it.
But, as this disease runs amok and mostly unchecked due to a lack of consistent messaging and government incompetence, it became clear that longed for trip wasn’t going to happen. Even worse, after New York State modified travel restrictions, my annual trip to the California desert for Christmas also has been shelved.
My second mom, whom I visit, has an underlying chronic health condition and is in an age group which makes her at an increased risk. I certainly wouldn’t want to give her Covid as a belated Chanukah gift.
It has been many years since I’ve remained in Albany for the entire holiday season, which is funny because when I was married with young children, all I wanted was to be able to celebrate without packing up the kids and driving. Schlepping to Massachusetts or Connecticut to eat a large meal, sitting in a folding chair at a table expanded to contain the bounty of family and food, felt exhausting.
While I sincerely loved being part of that family (and still miss the iconic cheeseball which was a perennial part of every special meal) sometimes I just wanted to be in my own home.
Much has changed since those crazy days with my three little boys. My house is certainly more quiet now, a state that is ideal for the type of holiday the head of our state is asking us to have this year. As I’m sure you know, the recommendation is to limit Thanksgiving gatherings to only members of one’s immediate household and to avoid travel this year.
At my house, we’ll be complying with that directive. I’ll brine and roast the 13lb. bird I found after I digging through a mound of turkeys better suited for much larger guest lists than a mere family of four.
We’ll figuratively bring others to our table, while supporting local businesses, by including Donna’s sweet potato casserole, biscuits from Placid Baker, something sweet from a favorite baker friend in Saratoga, and a bottle (or two) of wine to wash it all down from Upstate Wine & Spirits.
And I’ll queue up a holiday playlist that is guaranteed to include this classic. How about you sing along?
(Editor’s note…From a safe, social distance, of course).
Author: Silvia Lilly.
