By Father Ted

Some of my most treasured memories from childhood are big, holiday meals with my extended family. Aunt Floride and Uncle Neal always had us over for Thanksgiving, and we would drive to Columbia, SC on Easter to have dinner with my Great Aunt Dolly. Grandmamma and Poppa would serve brunch on Christmas morning, and then my parents would have everyone over for supper later that day. The menu and the guest lists were usually the same, year after year. The other constant was that we always ate off the "good stuff." That could mean someone's wedding china, special holiday dishes, or flatware that was passed down through the generations. These holiday meals were too important to use the "everyday stuff." (I recognize that this isn't a universal experience, but it's part of my story.)

In addition to special plates and bowls, there was also a special blessing over the meal. On most days of the year the blessing would go: "Bless this food to us, and us to Thy many uses, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others; in Christ's name we pray. Amen." But on special occasions, we would make the blessing a bit grander in the most Anglican way possible: my grandfather would begin the blessing with a versicle and response from Psalm 145. (The translation is from the Psalter in the 1928 prayerbook.)

V: The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord,
R: and Thou givest them their meat in due season.
V: Thou openest thine hand,
R: and fillest all things living with plenteousness.

It is a tradition that has lived on in my family, even as other people have had to lead the blessing after my grandfather died. Learning it is also a bit of a rite-of-passage (read: hazing) for those who marry into the Clarkson clan.

I'm not sure whether I should blame my nature or my nurture, but the desire to have "good stuff" and "everyday stuff" is very much alive in me. Two weeks ago, I spent a few hours carefully wrapping and packing my "good stuff" away as we got ready for some home repairs: my great-grandmother's wedding china, some turkey plates I got on eBay, and hand-cut crystal stemware that I snagged at an EMF Fish Fry many years ago. It makes me happy to pull them out on ordinary days, for ordinary meals. There's no point in keeping any of that stuff if you don't use it.

I need to remind myself that the same is true for blessings. "The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord" works just as well for turkey and dressing as it does for burgers and fries. I should spend more time giving thanks to God for the food that I have been given and for those who produced it. There's no need to save the "good blessing" for special occasions. Every meal is a gift and a chance to give thanks.

Father Ted +