The Budget of Paradox

Sophia,
Joyous Thanksgiving, kid. I hope you have a pleasant holiday today. I wish I knew where you are right now. I’m guessing you might be helping your mom cook today. I don’t know if she makes a big deal out of Thanksgiving anymore. But she did once.

When you were very little, I have memories from the house on Willow Lawn Drive. I remember your mom sending me out to buy the ingredients for brining the turkey. I had to go to Home Depot for one of those big orange buckets. Most of the ingredients, such as rosemary and apple cider, were easy to find. But getting juniper berries took some work.

Your mom used to go a little crazy making a large meal for Thanksgiving; she insisted on cooking everything homemade.

I’m not complaining. There are certainly worse habits. It’s just a memory.

No turkey for me today. I’m in some warm, distant city among people who don’t know anything about Thanksgiving (but, bizarrely, they have Black Friday here).

I miss you especially on the holidays.

With love,
Dad