A Season of Thanks
We’re a week away from Thanksgiving and counting down, but this year’s holiday is going to be much, much different than years gone by. To ignore the rising COVID19 numbers would be inviting risk. Is Grandma really worth that doughy stuffing that overdoses everyone on carbohydrates to the point of bursting? I know we are all creatures of habit to the point of starting WWIII if someone dares to add a little flair into family recipes. One year I used the purple Peruvian potatoes I had grown in my own garden instead of the standard russets from the grocery store. There was gnashing of teeth and attacks of the vapors along with my banishment of ever again being tasked with making the sacred white mashed potatoes.
As many folks with whom I’ve discussed the upcoming holiday have focused on what will be different this year, a recent conversation with two of my mentors—both octogenarians—have pointed me in a humbling direction of the unexpected positive aspects to arise from the pandemic. Despite never having met each other and residing on opposite sides of the country, both posed the same question to me—What good things have come out of the pandemic for me this year? As I have spent the better part of the week pondering this, I’ve come up with a larger list than expected.
I’m thankful that my family, friends, and customers who have either tested positive or contracted the Corona virus and have recovered. Over a quarter million Americans will be missing from the Thanksgiving table this year and three million will spend their holiday in isolation due to current infections.
I am thankful that I have more than enough food for myself and plenty to share with others. When the helicopter panned out with the video of thousands of cars waiting in line for a food bank, I was flabbergasted that that many people in America are currently food insecure. As a farmer, even in my most austere moments I never went without. How do you all think I got so good at cooking offal? One of my butchers once remarked that with all the bones and trim he tossed out he could feed a small village and at times, he has. The pandemic has stressed our food pantries unlike anything this country has ever experienced since the food lines of the 1930’s and wartime rationing. If ever there was a year to make a generous donation to your local food bank such as Manna Food Center and Food for Others, this is it. There’s always a donation bucket on the information table at Central Farm Markets. Generosity and kindness are wise investments in your community.
I am thankful that I live in a country where I have the ability to vote for leadership in free elections. The election process has been tested and stretched to its limits like never before, but thus far appears to be holding on. Living in rural America where most people don’t travel much further than their county except for an occasional vacation to the shore or to go hunting in the remote parts of a neighboring state, rarely do these multi-generational citizens ever get to interact with immigrants and refugees. When I began raising meat goats twenty years ago, immigrants and refugees were the bulk of my customers. Over the years I’ve met people who have shared unfathomable stories of atrocities from their lives before coming to America. For those who scream Tyranny & Oppression! at being asked to wear a mask, social distance and give up large events, you have absolutely no idea about what those words truly mean and for that you should be thankful.
I am thankful that I have gotten to know my customers better this year despite our social distancing and limited interactions. Sounds strange, right? With the farm’s weekly newsletter, curbside and delivery services, and pre-orders providing email addresses, I've been given a tiny glimpse into who some of my customers are thanks to their email address domains. There are lots of .edu, .gov, .org people and I can't help but look up what the entity or who the person is at times. Some customers have followed along on social media, their own accounts reflecting interesting pictures into their own lives. And some of have even shown up in the news! More than once this year I've logged on to read the Washington Post to be met by an image of a customer. I don't think I would have learned so much about my customers had it not been for the pandemic. It’s one thing to count your blessings for having such regular and dedicated customers; interesting customers are the whipped cream on the pumpkin pie!
I am thankful for the opportunity to write this blog for the last two years. Each week I look forward to a new topic as I sit down at my computer. Some weeks are more inspired than others. At times I’ve hit the send button apprehensive with my subject of choice only to find it struck a common cord with those who have read it. I am thankful that the Sunday after Thanksgiving I get to turn off my alarm (as do all my fellow vendors!) and take a day off. It’s not the amazing week-long vacation originally planned, but that’s ok. I’m still thankful. See you in two weeks. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.