Strawberry Sunrise

     As the sun gently stretched it's arms to wave away the cold gray clouds of the Bridger mountain range this morning to reveal hues of pink and orange,  I was in a vehicle traveling for work.  A feast for my eyes, my soul was drinking it like it was a strawberry milkshake.  My mind would wander between breaks in conversation to meals that I have eaten in the past with friends and loved ones.  It is that time of year after all, for most of us we are preparing for a meal that that is seen by many to be one that carries some of the largest expectations of the year.  The last big feast before a new year is rung in, the giant light emitting diode covered orb will drop down, everyone will cheer and exchange saliva, shoot fireworks and our thoughts will once again look forward into the unknown with an intent to hope for what the new year will bring.
     However, for now we will bask in the sunlight of December, and the memories of childhood Christmas's past.  The turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes.  I recall the smiles and laughter, the arguments that lead to apologies and awkward hugging.  Playing games with my siblings and nieces and nephews.  Seeing friends and relatives that were so special I'd only see them that time of year.
     For my family there were always three things that this time of year revolved around. Jesus, love, and of course food.  Sitting down for the Christmas meal together always began with a prayer of thanks.  Thanks for our lives, each other, the blessings that have been bestowed in our lives, and the ability to pass blessings on to other people.  A thank you of such proportion can rarely be expressed outwardly with words in a dinner prayer, but it is my understanding that it is the heart behind the gratitude and the life that accompanies it that really translates.
     Then it was time to break bread together.   This was one of two times a year that I ever recall eating turkey.  A bird that must have been mischievous , because my Texan Momma would always tell me "Jon Jon, you are a little Turkey", whenever I was pulling pranks.  Certainly a turkey was also a persnickety bird, because if you didn't take every appropriate step in baking it, there would likely be a ham on emergency backup.
     I remember that first turkey that my wife and I cooked.  It was a labor laden and slimy task.  Out of the oven we pulled the big bird every 45 minutes for more butter.  That was only after we had stuffed the things cavity full of home made stuffing, pulled it's skin back and tried to get him to relax by massaging herb laden butter into his meat, and covering him with cheese cloth before placing him into the tanning bed. When it was all said and done he was looking like the turkey doppelganger of George Hamilton or Mike "The Situation" for you  younger audience members.  His skin was a golden brown that seemed not naturally achieved, All he needed was a suit and tie, an agent and we would be in business.  Honestly I do jest,  the turkey was golden and delicious, and a memory that I will never forget. My wife had to work later that day, and seeing her commitment to a proper celebratory meal had me so in awe that I knew I had made the right decision in spousal commitment!  Not to get too personal, but we would definitely be having our firstborn son Caswell within the next year.

     The thing about food, for me anyway is this.  We don't just need it.  We don't just enjoy it.  We don't just talk and write and take pictures about it because it just tastes so good.  The food is a byproduct of a beautiful and mysterious process.  Once that transcends from need, to desire, to imagination, where the thought that we may have something too good in our mind to not share it with someone else.  You can share a meal with a loved one and create a lifelong memory that can pass through generations.  You may share a meal with a stranger and both of your lives may be changed for the better through the rest of your conscious days on earth.  Food is indeed a blessing, and blessings are indeed to be shared with others.  As you plan your next special meal I pray that you are blessed with peace, beautiful memories, and many beloved ones to share it with.  Until next time I bid dreams of bacon rainbows, chocolate rivers, and ice cream fortresses, and maybe even a candy cane highway to drive into the new year!