It is official: Gavin and I have been in Toronto longer than planned.
I moved here in 2000 expecting to keep it short and sweet - two years, tops - and Gavin arrived in 2001 expecting a similarly brief stay. Ah, what love can do to the best-laid plans!
We inherited this turkey candle from the latest of our grad school friends to leave Toronto in favour of very good prospects elsewhere. They inherited the glowing gobbler from its original owner, who placed it in a position of honour at her Thanksgiving celebration every year while she was here.
Having it on my piano is weirding me out a bit. It feels like the end of an era is staring me in the face with a glossy, waxy lumpy sort of stare.
Is this turkey some kind of amulet? Are we a mere few months from our next adventure? Hmmmm. And, what do I do with this thing? If I should, say, box it up and mail it to its original owner, would that be doing the "ceremonial passing of the turkey" a disservice? There is only one other person in Toronto who could receive it after us, and I'm not sure she would want it...or that she really qualifies, as a British citizen, to inherit the American grad student's turkey candle...thoughts, anyone?
Do you remember this waxy bird? Share some memories with me please - I'm feeling nostalgic. And did I mention, also a bit weirded out.
3 comments:
I am not privy to the turkey handing-over tradition, so I say start a new one. And every (American) thanksgiving you should light him up and raise a glass to friends and good times.
I do remember candlelight. I don't remember the bird. Am feeling rather unobservant. Or befuddled - I am sure it has to have been a source of conversation and/or merriment.. Too much wine maybe? Probably. Am feeling all nostalgic now too. Can we start another American thanksgiving tradition with this turkey and the dregs of our graduate school society? It would be good to see you guys anyway. I remember, as I said/wrote, darkness/candles, lots of food, some kind of dessert wine (I think yummy) brought by Damien and Anthony (the only above MAs at the first Thanksgiving?) and sitting on Gavin's porch in the darkness smoking (Shhh - do not tell my children who think smoking is absolutely terrible and so they should) and lots of indiscriminate mockery of all things Canadian/American/British and generally each other.... Please share more of your own memories. It really is time for more traditions (failing a new adventure, perhaps something celebratory for the accidental Torontonians?) Burns night too, really requires some resurrecting. Any thoughts?
One of these days I'm finding you guys a turkey tureen. I think that's the right work. I've been looking for years. I'll find it, though. I think this is the year!
... and for what it is worth, if you guys hadn't been here, I don't know what we would have done.
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