Of Thanks and Thunder

On Thanksgiving Eve, 1982, I was working hard at Olga's Kitchen at Lakeside Mall - my first job.

After work, Duane - my step-dad - came to pick me up. I was tired, and didn't realize how tipsy he was until I looked back on it years later. As it was, I laughed at him when he completely passed our house, and had to circle around the block to find it again.

Back in those days, my Grandma Rodgers - a truly strong and amazing woman in her own right - came and spent the night before Thanksgiving at our house to help my mom cook and prepare for the Thanksgiving feast.

On this particular night, I laid down on my bed, the room dark - lit only by the light of my stereo receiver - and began listening to Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" album from front to back - the first time I'd ever heard the entire album.

Mesmerized by the dark and gloomy music, I closed my eyes and relaxed, inhaling the amazing aromas of tomorrow's sure-to-be tasty banquet made for giving thanks.

I was warm, I was comforted, I was home, and had no worries in the world.

And ever since that night when all of my senses vibrated as one for one amazing moment, I have made it a habit...

To listen to Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" album from first note to final growl, and think happily about that moment all those years ago - and how important my grandmother was to me.

Yes, I listen to Black Sabbath and think of my grandmother at Thanksgiving.

And I am proud of it!