November 24, 2006

Helping Hands

(Pie making, 20 lb. turkey, shoulder towel, recycling)

As of this writing, the RSVP's are clocking in at 40 people from about 20 countries.

Every year for the past six or so years, we have invited international Princeton students, who are often too far from home to get back there, over here for a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner. It started out with a small gesture towards a few students T found headed for the Wawa on the day after Thanksgiving. It has become something quite a bit larger.

Our house is on the small side. (Unless you live in Manhattan, in which case we live in relatively palatial decadence.)

Some folks who have been here and who have just now read that RSVP number are, I can reliably report, thinking, "Are they insane?"

We think every year about not doing it. For a few minutes. And then we get an email from a senior who's been here every year and hopes to make it "four for four." Or from a tentative freshman wondering if there might be the possibility of pumpkin pie for dessert.

Like many people, our Thanksgiving tradition has become an "all hands on deck" kind of event. And it gives us great joy to be able to include D in the work, something which he, too, is excited about.

He remembers scrubbing the potatoes last year and this morning eagerly asked if he could have that job again. You betcha, kiddo.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I believe that I entered your lives for the 2nd annual International Thanksgiving- it's so great to hear that the festivities continue to grow! Can't wait to hear more about it and how you managed to fit 40 people into your home.

Anonymous said...

awww what an inspiring post!! this is what thanksgiving is all about; so many times we were invited to someone elses house in lou of having a family dinner to attend; what a difference it can make.

Tracy said...

OMG!! I LOVE the shoulder towel!! Tee-hee. Third generation shoulder-toweler. He won't be able to cook without it when he's an adult, ya' know!