Bella
Mommy told me that Thanksgiving is this week. I am not sure what that means. When I asked what it is Mommy told me it is a special day where we gather with all our family and friends and eat a turkey dinner. I don’t see how it is any different that Sunday lunch with Grandma and Grandpa so I nod. As long as I get to see Grandma I am happy.
Today we went to the grocery store. It was so crowded! Normally, when Mommy and I go not many people are in the store but today there were so many people. Everyone has large carts with so much food! How can it be for one dinner?
Mommy put me in the cart and starts pushing me through the aisles. I try to ask her questions but she is busy pushing the cart, grabbing food from the shelves, and crossing things off a list. I keep trying to get her attention but she doesn’t look at me. When she does look at me, she explains that she is sorry and that she is trying to make this trip as quick as possible. I thought holidays were supposed to be fun. This shopping trip is not fun!
At home Mommy quickly unpacks the bags and starts cooking something. I am confused. Mommy always smiles when she cooks but now she looks distracted. I am not sure what to do.
I decide I am going to have my own dinner party! I grab my favorite play mat and several of my stuffed toys. I set up camp in the kitchen arranging the mat and the stuffed toys on it. I then go back to my kitchen set for play dishes and food. With the dishes and food I arrange everything on the mat and start my pretend dinner party. With my imagination I eat yummy food and talk to my stuffed friends. I hope this is what Thanksgiving will be like.
I look up to see Mommy standing above me but this time she is smiling. “What are you up to?” she asks. “Having a dinner party with my stuffed friends. Do you want to play, Mommy?” To my delight she nods and joins the dinner party! I ask Mommy if Thanksgiving is like this and she says “yes, it is.”
Bella’s Mom
Thanksgiving is this week and I am so stressed. Normally we go to Bob’s parent’s house for dinner but we all decided over the summer that it would be easier for us to host. This way my parents can join to. It seemed like a good idea at the time but now that it is here I feel overwhelmed! Bob is working till the day before and the guest list has only grown.
Bella asked me what Thanksgiving is. I explained it is where we gather and have a turkey dinner. Seeing the confusion on her face and hearing her reply of how this is different from Sunday dinner I had to smile. She does have a valid point.
Today, I decided to start shopping and cooking. Of course the market is a mad house! Normally, no one is hear at this time and now it is mobbed. I pray I can get in and out quickly. I grab a cart and strap Bella in and go into auto pilot navigating the cart, pulling things from the shelves, and crossing items off my list. Bella looks up at me with expectant eyes and I feel so guilty. I explain that I am trying to make this trip as quick as possible. I make a promise to myself to carve out some special Mommy Bella time next week.
At home I unpack the groceries and start cooking. If I can a few dishes done each day, I will be in good shape for Thursday. In the midst of chopping and washing vegetables, I look up and see Bella on the kitchen floor. She has laid out her playmat and arranged her stuffed toys around her. Her play food and plates are on the mat to and she is engaged in animated conversation.
I pause and breath. I then turn off the stove burners and go to my daughter. I ask her what she is playing and she shares that they are having a dinner party. To my delight she asks me to join in. My little girl teaches me so many things and today she reminded me to slow down and appreciate the moment. When she asks me if Thanksgiving is like this, I reply “yes, it is.”