Happy Thanksgiving!
And what a beautiful day it is… a sunny opportunity to reflect – each of us in our own way – on what has brought us to this point and what we have to be thankful for in our lives.
Personally, I have a long list, one you will not be subjected to in this holiday note. But, there are some thank-you’s that come to me even when it isn’t the Thanking Holiday. I’m fortunate and appreciative of Mr. and Mrs. S. for allowing the business to locate in the Rose District. Every morning when I unlock the door and step inside, I recall how lucky I am to be able to call this my place of work.
Except it isn’t so much like work when you love it.
So, it’s a rare day off at the bookstore, except Chef Dustin and I are here, peeling and chopping just like any other morning. Today’s potatoes are headed for the family gathering, while tomorrow we’ll be back to prepping for our family of guests. The phone rang while I was peeling, and the lady wondered if we were open for lunch today, and I’m thankful for that. It is reassuring that someone is thinking of us, even on a holiday.
It’s a little difficult to see in the image, with the photo taken through the double-glass in the oven door, but Chef-D has concocted a Scalloped Sweet Potato au Gratin dish that was picture-worthy. (Update: It was also dinner-worthy and a tasty addition to the delicious assortment of offerings at the family table. Obviously, I ate too much.)
I’m thankful and appreciative of those who work in the service industry, who don’t have the day off, or will only enjoy part of a day with family or friends. People behind the counter at QuikTrip and other 365-a-year businesses. People who protect and serve, guide in the airliners, radio and television folks. We sometimes take for granted those ongoing jobs and we might forget that the people in those professions have home lives as well.
If you’ll bear with me, I would like to express my thanks for the chance to work again with my son Dustin, and now with his wife Rachel. It’s a chance to get to know each other better as adults. My own father died before I got to really know him and it makes me understand the chance I’ve been given. (Even while realizing they’re quietly tolerating my idiosyncrasies. I’m thankful for that too!)
It goes without saying (except I’ll say it) that I am thankful for the health of my kids and my grandchildren. That certainly goes for family and friends, near and far. I’m thankful for the many folks who have become much more than customers over the years, and the guests who stuck with us during the lengthy construction project that was the genesis of the Rose District.
As we approach the anniversary of our ninth year on Main Street, I am thankful for all of you who have shown support, offered kind words or suggestions, who have continued to make it possible for a horse-and-buggy-type business to survive in the age of Nascar. The e-readers are here to stay, but I’m mindful that enough of you still think fondly of the printed page’s look and feel to keep us grazing in the pasture. And on occasion – racing like a Thoroughbred.
Those are the extra-fun days, and I’m looking forward to more of those to come.
All the best to you and yours on this special day!
McHuston
Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!