Thanksgiving is, hands down, my favorite holiday. I used to love showing up at Grandma's house, looking fresh, inhaling the fragrance of beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes, lamb, rams, hogs, dogs....you name it :) Seriously, though. It's always been a holiday to catch up with and love on family and friends and I look forward to it every year.
This year was different than all the others. Seeing as Tenaysia and I ran away from home a few months ago we weren't quite sure how the holiday was going to pan out-to be honest I was a bit anxious about it. If memory serves me correctly I haven't had to work on Thanksgiving in Tenaysia's life, ever. Having started a new job less than 3 months ago, I expected I'd have to work. My scheduled days are Monday thru Friday and I didn't dare request time off.
As the week approached I was accepting the fact that I'd be on the clock. Nasyia and I had agreed on her prepping (a non-traditional) dinner during the day, and I'd cook once I got off at 4pm. I didn't complain about having to work with any of my peers and I was starting to embrace the idea.
But....Jesus knows my heart. He knows what brings me joy. He knows how this holiday blesses me. And he knows just how desperately I wanted to be home with Naysia.
Wednesday afternoon my supervisor pulled me to the side and asked if I planned on working Thanksgiving. Of course. And she said, "Don't, we have it covered." Awwww Yeahhhhh! Although I had contemplated working for a couple hours, my girls talked me out of it.
When Naysia came out in January to visit the city and celebrate my birthday, one of the places we visited was Pearl Street Church.
The service was a blessing. Soon after our visit, I received a phone call from Judith. She explained that she did the follow up calls with visitors. I shared our possible move. She mentioned that she'd be in prayer on our behalf. We found one another on Face Book, messaged once in a while and she warred for us once we hit the road to come this way.
Since our move, Judith has been a source of encouragement and the joy in her heart spills out and is contagious! A couple weeks ago Judith asked if I'd like to meet for Thanksgiving breakfast, and the change in my work schedule allowed for that.
We met Thanksgiving morning at Jim's Restaurant on Broadway. We talked about relationships, family, friends, our love affair with God, dreams, plans, the past and the future. We squealed and high fived learning our birthdays are a mere day apart. Can you believe we sat there for 3 hours!!! I am thankful for the role she is playing in our lives and I can hardly wait to see what's in store for our sisterhood.
I came home to find Naysia baby in her room looking stunning! She was dolled up for the days events. We, like two little girls, climbed into her bed and giggled, wrestled, and eventually fell asleep. I woke up a few hours later and made several calls to our family in Arizona and North Carolina, answered Facebook messages and texts from so many people I love.
Dinner consisted of Chicken Parmesan, french fries, Caesar salad, and garlic bread. We drank sweet tea and Red Velvet wine and had cupcakes for dessert. The night culminated with dancing, just we two. Prince, Drake, TLC, Kanye, Jay Z and Shirley Caesar had us busting out our funky moves while we laughed uncontrollably.
I realize that at some point in time I may not have the luxury to spend Thanksgiving with my Naysia. But tonight, as I sat across from her, my heart was full and once again I could not help but to give Thanks to my God for listening to and answering my prayers.
Happy Thanksgiving
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