Thanksgiving

Last night's dinner at Delca's was great. I got to meet her son Israel who was really cool people. There was lots of good conversation and plenty of good food to enjoy.

When we got there dinner wasn't quite ready so my mom and I stayed in the kitchen with Delca, talking and helping her prepare the evening meal. I cooked the string beans. My mom made the sweet potatoes. We talked about anything and everything as we went along, everyone in a good mood and happy to be together at a time like this. Even though it was our first time at Delca's house, I felt right at home and I know my mom did too. It made a nice substitute for my grandmother's house in Los Angeles since we couldn't be there.

When dinnertime finally came we stood in a circle, held hands and said a prayer over the meal. There wasn't enough room for everyone to sit at the diningroom table so two smaller tables were set up in the kitchen. Delca's kitchen is huge and it overlooks her family room. We served the dinner buffet style, placing the hot dishes of food on the center island in the kitchen. When I finally sat down with my plate I couldn't get over how good everything tasted. Israel and I ate and discussed the differences between Las Vegas and our hometowns in California.

After dinner we retired to the family room and watched television. Initially we were watching Rap City on BET and I got a kick out of watching the reactions of the older generation to what was going on in the videos. We discussed music and musicians, who is really talented and who isn't. We debated on why we felt Alicia Keys got all the Grammys while India Arie went home with nothing. we discussed Aaliyah and how you would be hard pressed to find someone with something negative to say about her. When it was time to go, warm hugs were passed around along with promises to get together soon for good times.

My mom and I headed to my Uncle Earl's house for some quality time with family. By the time we got there my cousin Shaun and his girlfriend Traci had already gone home. My cousin Shane, his wife Candida and her friend Kim were still there along with my Uncle Earl and his wife Debbie. Shane, Candida, Kim and I sat at the kitchen table and talked for over two hours about anything and everything. We debated religion, sexuality, morals, spirituality and a long list of other topics. I love these times with my cousin because he is so smart and has a lot to add to the discussion even if he and I don't agree on everything.

I was left feeling full at the end of the night, both physically and emotionally. I was once again grateful for my family, for friends and for life in general. I vowed not to take anyone or anything for granted and to spend more time with the ones I love.