Happy Thanksgiving from Granny, Pa and Beau

Pa and I just read Truman Capote’s short story – The Thanksgiving Visitor, originally written for McCall’s Magazine in the 60’s. It is the story of a young boy living with his spinster aunts and uncle. His favorite aunt and only friend, except for the family dog is his confidante and ally. With the intention of creating goodwill, she invites the bully who has been tormenting Buddy at school to the family Thanksgiving. Buddy’s reaction is that of a hurt and very smart child. The result is a beautiful lesson in understanding how kindness is always the best choice.

The dinner scene begins with a prayer from the uncle, and is a moment of peace before a storm . “Uncle B. recited grace. Heads bowed, eyes shut, calloused hands prayerfully placed, he intoned: “Bless You, O Lord, for bounty of our table, the varied fruits we can be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day of a troubled year” – his voice, so infrequently heard, croaked with the hollow imperfections of an old organ in an abandoned church – “Amen.”