A Malibu Thanksgiving from the Days of Yore

Although there are many important News Stories out there in which to snark or lark-about on, it seems fitting to remain on the Thanksgiving Theme…

In yesterday's post, the focus was how I'm avoiding Family Gatherings this year so that I will not be drawn into unnecessary negativity coupled with Potential Drama…and how, in Another Time and in Another Head Space, the holiday had been a pleasant experience.

Aside from when I had great fun with relatives and Extended Family in years long past, one Thanksgiving with only a few friends remains at The Top of my Memory List – a simple, yet oddly profound experience I would like to share.

Long ago and seemingly so far away, Malibu was home to the Iconic Alice's Restaurant on the pier (which sadly, is no longer there). One could always count on Alice's to be a bustling, congenial location for any occasion. Views of the Pacific Ocean were available from almost every table, and one could be casual or Dressed-Up without feeling out-of-place.

Two friends who were living in Malibu at the time invited me and another mutual friend to join them for a Thanksgiving Early Dinner at the restaurant, with the additional invitation to spend several days at the home of one of the two where his home rested high on a hill with an extensive view of the ocean with its additional perks of breathtakingly beautiful sunsets and sunrises glowing Right In Our Faces.

How easy, comfortable, and relaxed our mid-afternoon dinner at Alice's had been. The sun was out, providing a glistening sheen on the ocean waters below us. The food was perfect: completely traditional; the company full of wit and wisdom. When we finished our desserts and aperitif's, three of us went our way to experience a Private Giving-Thanks Ceremony on a secluded, little-known beach further up the coast where rock caves dominated the sandy landscape. 

The Other Friend chose to return to her home in The Colony where she wanted to be at peace in her luxuriously decorated home and nap in a bed fit for The Queen of her mini-castle.

My two friends and I found our Secluded Sandy Paradise completely devoid of Other People. Thrilled for the privacy, we set about creating a charming makeshift Mini-Table balanced on flat rocks, covered with a Linen tablecloth where we placed wine chalices, an iced wine bucket, and, of course, a bottle of wine. Candles were strategically placed at each corner, with a simple finishing touch of small china plates set out in front of our respective "seats" (aka The Sand) for the continuation of our partial gluttony. We shared spiritually-based stories and experiences, recited our goals, and then quietly absorbed our ocean-air-filled atmosphere.

As the sun began to set, we raised our chalices and toasted the day, each other, and our Collective Belief in a Universal God, telling each other what we were thankful for on such a Glorious Day. When my turn came, I recall the freeing, deeply sincere statement that I was Grateful to NOT be involved in a Romantic Relationship filled with turbulence and Unhappiness. (I had recently ended one of those horrendous experiences after three grueling years.)

In the background, the sound of the ebbing tide lulled us into a near sleep until it was time to go. After we gathered our things, we affirmed our Ritual Of Thanks by bowing to a spectacular sunset, and calmly walked up the steep cliff to be on our way to the next destination.

And where would that destination be? A grocery store in the heart of Malibu, of course! We were a hungry lot. We gathered soft cheeses, fresh baguettes, and additional foods for the next day, then scurried-off to my friends' lovely home which was filled with original art of every kind: priceless sculptures, paintings…and exquisite, thematic lighting. My friend, The Guy, was an art aficionado and had dabbled in collecting rare pieces for years. Wherever he lived he made his home into a museum, adding to the already refined spirit of his creative nature.

Following a laugh-filled evening of jokes, more culinary delights, gentle jazz and wine, we retreated to our respective rooms for the night, blissfully satiated and wonderfully happy. I had not felt so at peace within myself for what seemed like years – which, considering everything, was indeed true and A Huge Relief.

I fell asleep with a wee grin on my face, grateful, thankful, for the friendship of these two wonderful people; the inspiring environment, and a day that had involved the beauty – natural and man-made – of Life.

To me, that's what Thanksgiving is all about.

Until next time…..

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