Its Thanksgiving so “what does your table look like?” Like most of us I have very fond memories of what our “table” looked like on Thanksgiving Day. It was a day that our family, led by my grandfather, traditionally gave thanks for all our blessings as do so many.

Now well into my 50’s, with my own family and my new life here in Arizona “the table” sure looks different.

First of all our table is not the traditional “table.” Our dining area doesn’t have a dining room table but rather a Pin Pong table—yes, our family voted that the ping pong table was a wonderful gathering place, more fun for the family especially during the hot summer months, and more used than the traditional table.

Our table (ping pong) was the place we sought refuge from the heat and boredom that is Tucson’s summer. Now that the weather is great and Thanksgiving is upon us the “table” is not being used for ping pong or being prepared for a Thanksgiving feast.

I once would have said it was just gathering clutter over the last month. There are the potted plants from my daughter’s current science project. In fact only six plants are from her experiment. My wife, who did research at NIH while in dental school, has three plants of her own that she is experimenting with.

There are the numerous letters from my son’s college telling us about all the happenings and parent organization activities.

As I fumble through the small piles vainly attempting to clear it up I find the thank you from the Amphi School district for our support of the “Leap Ahead” bond issue which makes me thankful to our community. There is also Amphi literature about the great 8th grade science outing to Catalina Island Marine Institute which makes me smile with gratitude for the memories Anna will have of this special “coming of age” trip.

Of course, there are the remnants of household projects….paint stirrers and blockout tape from painting our daughter’s room, pieces of cord and slats from repairing the blinds in the living room and kitchen.

There is a stack of Dental Journals I put aside for the four day Thanksgiving weekend. There are the stubs of the tickets from the play “Jersey Boys” and the football game we attended.

All in all I would say things have not changed much when I look at our Thanksgiving table. Where before the holiday was all about the feast of foods that filled our stomachs, this year’s feast is more about the feast of memories that fill our hearts and minds.

We wish you a Thanksgiving filled with not only a delicious feast but also filled with the Memories of other days since last Thanksgiving.

Enjoy the Journey,
Bob

Bob Oro is a husband, parent, dentist and children’s advocate in Oro Valley

Excerpt: “Enjoy the Journey” by Robert J. Oro