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Abstract

hem to share.We settle in for an afternoon of giggles, hundreds of questions asked, moments of quiet time, and talk about Santa.The dog wants comfort when she wants it, and I try not to deny her the things that bring comfort to her.At the age of 14, some of these things include me leaving a space that is home to me as much as our place is.But she wants what she wants, and her own space is requested at just under four hours of cuddles, football, love, laughter, and a fast food lunch I probably shouldn't have eaten.<figure id="b606"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*q8k0fl5oBGflh0DXMGwp1Q.jpeg"><figcaption>Christmas dinner: barbecued lamb chops, mac-n-cheese, and collard greens with tomatoes. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt</figcaption></figure>Christmas Day lends me the time to cook, watch animated holiday-themed movies, and enjoy every morsel without hands digging into my pots, searching for their quick

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fixes.To crave macaroni-n-cheese around this time of year is some sort of rite of passage.I know what I want and how I want it, so I cooked it. And collard greens with cherry tomatoes, alongside barbecued lamb chops completed the meal.I smiled while I laid every bite on my tongue. The dog stood patiently at my feet, waiting for just a taste of something she hadn't yet been exposed to, and I succumb to her advances.A little lamb chop won't hurt, will it?I can't tell who's happier; me, to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor peacefully or her, to nibble on something as close to perfection that we're ever going to get.But I do know this; the joys of family and food cannot be debated. I sit back, pat my full belly, and thank God for health, strength, life, and love.Another Christmas is done. And we're still here.©2022 Tremaine L. Loadholt</article></body>

The Joys of Family & Food

A gratitude poem

Jaidynn, Jernee, me, & Caison on Christmas Eve, 2022. Photo Credit: Tremaine L Loadholt

Their sweet faces light up when they notice I have Jernee in tow. The two of them race over to me, and I can't scoop The Little Monster out of the car fast enough.

Jaidynn squeals with infectious delight and Caison hoots and hollers then claps his hands frantically.

Why am I a witness to such joy within seconds? Children wear their feelings on their faces, forget sleeves; you'll instantly know if their approval has been given or not.

Jernee skips past both of them, interested in getting inside, away from the cold. And Drake, my cousins' dog, jumps up on me, eager to get to the treats he knows I have in Jernee's bag for both of them to share.

We settle in for an afternoon of giggles, hundreds of questions asked, moments of quiet time, and talk about Santa.

The dog wants comfort when she wants it, and I try not to deny her the things that bring comfort to her.

At the age of 14, some of these things include me leaving a space that is home to me as much as our place is.

But she wants what she wants, and her own space is requested at just under four hours of cuddles, football, love, laughter, and a fast food lunch I probably shouldn't have eaten.

Christmas dinner: barbecued lamb chops, mac-n-cheese, and collard greens with tomatoes. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Christmas Day lends me the time to cook, watch animated holiday-themed movies, and enjoy every morsel without hands digging into my pots, searching for their quick fixes.

To crave macaroni-n-cheese around this time of year is some sort of rite of passage.

I know what I want and how I want it, so I cooked it. And collard greens with cherry tomatoes, alongside barbecued lamb chops completed the meal.

I smiled while I laid every bite on my tongue. The dog stood patiently at my feet, waiting for just a taste of something she hadn't yet been exposed to, and I succumb to her advances.

A little lamb chop won't hurt, will it?

I can't tell who's happier; me, to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor peacefully or her, to nibble on something as close to perfection that we're ever going to get.

But I do know this; the joys of family and food cannot be debated. I sit back, pat my full belly, and thank God for health, strength, life, and love.

Another Christmas is done. And we're still here.