Twenty plus people arrive at my home tomorrow. Lots of cleaning, shopping, cooking. For that I give thanks.
We’re celebrating with my mom, who’s still kicking and funnier than she realizes, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends. For that I give thanks.
Growing up, my sisters and brother and mom lived in government housing. I didn’t really notice that we were poor until the holidays. For that I give thanks.
There are no more days like that for us, and never for our children. For that I give thanks.
Thanksgiving Poem
Cardboard charity box,
left on the back porch
on a dreary early morn.
A big mama chicken?
No, a turkey.
Our very own?
Green beans, corn,
lots of corn, cranberry jelly,
a bag of flour.
Potato flakes—
none of us ever tasted those before—
made flavorful with welfare butter,
a yellow block of sunshine.
A table
with more than two items
to go with the grape Kool-Aid
and tortillas.
One parent,
four children,
all together.
For that, I give thanks.
alvaradofrazier.com 
Thanks for this – I, too, am grateful that your life is so full; and am grateful for you in the world. Happy day.
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I appreciate your kind words. Keep up your work with the women of Vermont Correctional. You and Marybeth have shown them the gift of words.
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i used to DIG welfare cheese! Best. Nachos. Ever. As usual, great work…
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Haha, yeah that cheese and 101 ways to make meals with spam!
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Holding my heart as I read your poem.
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, also. Your gift is the evocative poetry you’ve shared throughout the year. Thank you!
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well. You reminded me that I live in Government Housing right now, and that I am poor by anyone’s estimate of income and affordable living. I get most of my food from the local food share, and House of Neighborly Services. But being poor has nothing to do with happiness, does it? I feel so grateful for having a warm place to live and food on the table. It is a cruel world if you let it get to you. You know me, I’m a fighter! I will be with family in Boulder tomorrow celebrating the same as everyone else. What more could I hope for? My son Ben is coming for Christmas, it is what I live for! Thanks again, and enjoy the mess! LOVE & HUGS, suzi
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Thanksgiving came and went. I’m sorry for missing this post, Mona. I hope that you had a lovely family time. And to everyone reading your blog, I hope Thanksgiving was good to you too.
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Hey, the happiest days of my life was when we were growing up in the Maravilla Housing Projects of East L.A. The old Maravilla Projects built right after WWII. Most of us kids had no fathers around. We were each others mini-dads and role models.
My mom was one of the strongest persons I have known. She kept us going with home remedies, and great cooking. La Ayuda (welfare) got us through.
The second happiest time of my life was when I was struggling to get through college on my G.I. Bill, living in an unheated room over my landlord. Food was mostly frozen dinners and ice cream. Kept me going. And I was happy.
Happy Thanksgiving! (Yeah, I tend to be late with a lot of things. Wait’ll you read my Merry Christmas.)
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Tommy, I eagerly await your ‘Merry Christmas’ comment sometime during Easter, 🙂
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That’s funi, Mona.
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