Thanks, Mom!

Her card reads “I am so blessed by you guys. Let us show our thankfulness each day, not just today. And may we savor our love for another just as we savor the delicious food on our Thanksgiving table. May we also laugh and love a lot! Thank you all. Love, Mom”. That is SOOO my Mom, always positive and appreciative, always so good at making everyone feel special.

Here’s how it works: if I placed the two of you together (it could be anywhere – waiting in line, grocery shopping, the coffee shop, Chiefs Stadium – the location doesn’t matter) within five minutes my Mom would know everything about you, including your most accomplished feats and discouraging struggles. And you would then be standing there with this funny look on your face, amazed at how this little woman got you to share not only your life story, but also your inner most thoughts and feelings! I have seen it take place more times than I can count, and it happens simply because she takes the time to ask. Once you begin that conversation, you realize without a doubt, that she truly cares about what you have to say; for those five minutes, you feel like the most important person in the entire world.

So on behalf of my Mom, I’m challenging you (along with myself!) this holiday season. In the midst of all the craziness, let’s see if we can take the time to make everyone around us feel like we truly care. As we welcome our friends and relatives into our homes on Thanksgiving, can we remember that it’s really NOT all about the food? Can we create special havens for our guests where they will find hospitality and warmth as we take a few extra moments to dote over them? Can we allow them to feel useful as we include them in our dinner preparations in the kitchen? As we pass the turkey and cranberry sauce, can we set our differences aside and give thanks for ALL who sit around our table?  It all begins with you and me – our actions make all the difference.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Now You’re Cookin’,

Chef Alli