I was once invited to spend Thanksgiving at a friend’s house while living in Boston. Unlike events at Plymouth Rock with American Indians, politics wasn't in the equation.
After chitchatting about how to make authentic Cuban pork (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWcWbN...), my friend’s retired English professor grandma sat next to me. As we were being served heaping, steaming plates of turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, yams and wild rice with mushrooms, she grasped my shoulder softly between her crooked, arthritic finger and thumb, cleared her voice, and recited verbatim:
“...Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for 'tis Thanksgiving Day…”
The next time I visited them, I took Richard Blanco’s poem, “America” and read it to “granny” who fell in love with his poetry (especially City of One Hundred Fires--there’s a city in Cuba called Cien Fuegos/One Hundred Fires).
****
…I explained to Abuelita
about the Indians and the Pilgrims,
how Lincoln set the slaves free.
I explained to my parents about
the purple mountain's majesty,
the amber waves of grain,
"one if by land, two if by sea,"
the cherry tree, the tea party,
the "masses yearning to be free,"
liberty and justice for all...
And finally they agreed—
this Thanksgiving we would have turkey,
as well as pork.
Abuelita prepared the poor fowl
as if committing an act of treason,
harnessing as much enthusiasm
as possible, for my sake.
Mamá prepared candied yams,
following instructions printed
on the back of a marshmallow bag,
and set a frozen pumpkin pie in the oven.
Dad watched WLTV: "Lo Nuestro…"
****
Most Cuban Thanksgivings are highly emotional. They're filled with drama, pork, congri (not the way I'd make it but music is funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl6-Ar...), yuca con mojo, cafecito Cubano, etc.,thus massively different from my one and only lovely “white” Thanksgiving.
"Granny” is no longer with us but I know she’d love the following:
"Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the mornin' and the moon at night."- Irving Berlin
I give thanks to fans of my debut novel--updated edition to be released in April, 2012--and for all the moving and beautiful emails you've sent me throughout the years. I'm thankful for my true friends and family and especially for having the most compassionate and gifted girlfriend/partner in the history of life.
I'm aware that some folks are homeless and some are poor and don't have much food to eat. Here's wishing everyone a meal tomorrow--and every day thereafter--health, and a better life...
After chitchatting about how to make authentic Cuban pork (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWcWbN...), my friend’s retired English professor grandma sat next to me. As we were being served heaping, steaming plates of turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, yams and wild rice with mushrooms, she grasped my shoulder softly between her crooked, arthritic finger and thumb, cleared her voice, and recited verbatim:
“...Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for 'tis Thanksgiving Day…”
The next time I visited them, I took Richard Blanco’s poem, “America” and read it to “granny” who fell in love with his poetry (especially City of One Hundred Fires--there’s a city in Cuba called Cien Fuegos/One Hundred Fires).
****
…I explained to Abuelita
about the Indians and the Pilgrims,
how Lincoln set the slaves free.
I explained to my parents about
the purple mountain's majesty,
the amber waves of grain,
"one if by land, two if by sea,"
the cherry tree, the tea party,
the "masses yearning to be free,"
liberty and justice for all...
And finally they agreed—
this Thanksgiving we would have turkey,
as well as pork.
Abuelita prepared the poor fowl
as if committing an act of treason,
harnessing as much enthusiasm
as possible, for my sake.
Mamá prepared candied yams,
following instructions printed
on the back of a marshmallow bag,
and set a frozen pumpkin pie in the oven.
Dad watched WLTV: "Lo Nuestro…"
****
Most Cuban Thanksgivings are highly emotional. They're filled with drama, pork, congri (not the way I'd make it but music is funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl6-Ar...), yuca con mojo, cafecito Cubano, etc.,thus massively different from my one and only lovely “white” Thanksgiving.
"Granny” is no longer with us but I know she’d love the following:
"Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the mornin' and the moon at night."- Irving Berlin
I give thanks to fans of my debut novel--updated edition to be released in April, 2012--and for all the moving and beautiful emails you've sent me throughout the years. I'm thankful for my true friends and family and especially for having the most compassionate and gifted girlfriend/partner in the history of life.
I'm aware that some folks are homeless and some are poor and don't have much food to eat. Here's wishing everyone a meal tomorrow--and every day thereafter--health, and a better life...
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Tomorrow I'm giving thanks to you, my favorite author for "down to the bone". I'm so happy to hear that your updated edition is coming out next year. I hope someone makes it into a movie! I can't wait to read your new novel in March.
Dear Mayra,'loved your Turkey Day Tale !As Cubans, and nearly Jehova's Witnesse's we never sat around giving thanks. According to Mom, gratitude was meant to be expressed year 'round. But I do ramble...my first, official sit-down Thanksgiving celebration took place in a Black American household. A co-worker and friend honored me by inviting me to her house. It was a little awkward at first, being the only "white, blued -eyed person"there, and I should add Cuban. After my friend plied me we a relaxing scotch and milk on the rocks, we sat down to an extraordinary feast of collard greens, pidgeon peas and rice, amazing tender turkey with stuffing and a fluffy homemade coconut cake for desert. Laughter and story telling was as abundant as the food, and a great time was had by all.
