On this very, very cool day, I came up to the front porch of Prana and was amazed to find heat lamps at the registration table. Ahhhh, so nice. And thereafter, unfolded grace notes in everything.
Entering the Small Seminar Room, I noticed the decor was in rich, deep Chinese red colors, with orange striped table runners, touched with patterned sun flowers. Complementing the tables, were glorious sun flowers and deep red chrysanthemums, pumpkins & gourds on the mantles giving us a first glance of the abundance to come!
I found an empty seat in the Large Seminar Room, left my things, and strolled to the Rotunda porch, happily greeting, embracing and listening to sweet words from so many dear friends. Making my way down to the Reflecting Pool, there were tables set up for hors d’oeuvres of sun-dried tomato pesto, parmesan artichoke spread, crackers, cheese, and nuts. Happily, the cheery diners clustered about, sharing and spreading their loving with one another, until it was time for dinner.
I met with Alethea Lamb for a moment, she is our Events Coordinator. Alethea, along with Mandy Weis, our Administrator were responsible for coordinating, and overseeing the entire Thanksgiving day, and had been planning it for weeks and weeks! They still worked in tandem today. Both ladies were stunning in beauty and graciousness, while watching over every last detail to insure this Thanksgiving day at Prana would be a blessed success for all.
Finally, just a few moments past 2:00 PM, Rick Ojeda and Zoe Golightly circled us all together hand in hand around the reflecting pool to call in the Light, the honors being done by Jsu Garcia. Jsu explained that J-R would not be here on the physical, and yet we were all aware J-R was totally with us all in Spirit! John Morton would soon be arriving, too. Then we stood in line up the steps into the dining room, past the laden dessert tables, and into the main dining room for our feast! [Please see end of article for our gourmet food descriptions].
Once again, most of us, just kept connecting with loved ones. Heart to heart embracing was everywhere, even while holding plates of goodies! Finally, I made my way to the dining table near the piano, and sat to enjoy this meal, with many of my friends. This is one of these rare days, when every time I got up to go somewhere – a whole lot of hugging greeted me. As I shared with so many, the same feedback, of our Thanksgiving essence was heard again and again. “How much Peace is at Prana, how peaceful it is, and how can so many people be here, and yet how intimate the gathering is.” That’s what a whole group in loving does, with the Spirit present. A oneness, and intimacy was entirely present.
We had feasted our eyes, we had feasted in loving overflowing from our hearts, and now with the repast of food, we had feasted on the rich abundance our Chef David created for this day. Thanksgiving is about many things, and gratitude is the hallmark of the day for the abundance we share.
Finally it was time for the entertainment, and our MC’s for the afternoon were Zoe Golightly and Rick Ojeda. They first introduced John Morton who came up and welcomed everyone, and then he called in the Light. He led us in prayer; followed by all chanting the Ani-Hu, which brings in even greater empathy and oneness with God, and all hearts present.
First up! Zoe introduced James and Karen Hassett, with first James playing guitar to accompany himself as he sang. Then Karen played an original song too.
Zoe introduced next, Jeeni Lawrence, who sang an up-beat, almost bossa-nova tempo of “Healing Me Softly With His Song”. This was an updated surprise of an old hit, and stunning rendition as she sang.
Rick was back, and introduced Eric Lumiere, this young man sang, while playing piano; with his mom, Denise Lumiere accompanying on flute. Eric sang “You Are Always Here.” Then Eric and Denise moved into a mellow love song dedicated to J-R.
Rick again surprised us with the next singing duet, Clara Jaramillo, and her mother, Myriam Restrepo. They sang a capella in beautiful harmony, two songs in Spanish, the first from Cartagena, and the second from Argentina.
Zoe came back to invite Gabe Morgan to come on up, and today Gabe treated us to his piano playing, and singing very pop and rock style, “Honey, Honey Come and Dance With Me,” as Eric Lumiere strummed along on his guitar. Soon, four tiny tots, 1 little boy, and three very little girls gathered to the front of the room near the piano, to listen to the music with their big eyes!
For a very special happening, Rick asked Mandy Weis, Alethea Lamb, Kate Ferrick, Richard Klein, Carol Jones, Debbie Roth, and Kevin McMillan to come on up. They shared together honoring Paul Kaye, whose birthday was being celebrated today too. So here’s their sharing:
Paul is like a delicious feast … a Thanksgiving dinner.
Carol – “Paul, you are like the turkey which has light and dark ….. meat.”
Kate – “Paul, is like the stuffing on a plate. It takes up a lot of room, but is savory and gluten free.”
Debbie – “Paul, you are like the ham, served at Thanksgiving, but we don’t eat ham here, because you are sometimes salty.
Alethea – “Paul you are like gravy. You layer everything with good taste.”
Richard – “Paul is like cranberries you can be spicy and tart, and add the zing!”
Mandy – “Paul is like the dessert, sweet as pumpkin pie, without sugar and flour, without pumpkin, and yet everyone loves you.”
Then we all sang Happy Birthday to Paul Kaye, as Chef David Funk brought in a special pie baked by Paul’s wife, Shelley Noble. Paul blew out the candles very successfully!
Our MC, Zoe was back sharing about SE’s, and how she came here 7 years ago, and of her gratitude. Next, MC, Rick introduce a gratitude exercise with folks sharing what they are grateful for.
When this was complete, Rick called upon Sally Kirkland. Sally told us how J-R placed a blessing on her voice when she was ordained. So she read J-R’s words from his book, “Timeless Wisdoms”.
Zoe, back once again now introduced Prana resident Kim Guisinger, who with pitch perfect pure voice sings from her heart, and sang a capella, a song to the Beloved. “America the Beautiful,” with some of the words changed. She amazes us with her voice.
Zoe called up Bill Gist, Mr. Bill, as we call him. He entertained in his own humorous way about his surgery with cancer earlier this year, and the privilege of meeting his magical surgeon. During the surgery he had two visions, which was like seeing a gallery of people looking down on the surgery, but they were not medical interns, they were ministers and initiates.
One of our comedians, Miriam Reiss was introduced by Zoe, and she dedicated her song to J-R and John. She sang, “Some Thanksgiving Dinner”, to the tune of Some Enchanted Evening, all about a time for thanks.
Then came another Prana comedian, Jennifer Halet. She started by describing a Friday night date, and then roared right into Thanksgiving day, and how her ancestors stole the land from the original Indians. Her story next meandered into a family gathering when she was 12 years old, to the delight of those present. When she was done, she introduced Carlos, her boyfriend, who would play piano.
A hush came over the room. He introduced his song, “Jennifer’s Song”, for his girlfriend Jennifer Halet. Carlos is a musical giant of a pianist, reminding me of the masters of old …. mastership of the 88 keys, and the music soared from depths to heights, from the delicate sublime to strengthening chords building like “viaducts”, for the rushing musical sounds flowing to reach us all. Now one of Prana’s best kept secrets, this late night piano player, Carlos, becomes an instant MSIA sensation to a standing ovation.
John Morton then gave a closing Blessing. I heard John share that this was like an anniversary, as 33 years ago, was his first Thanksgiving with J-R, and an Insight Training was taking place at the same time, with J-R facilitating. That’s when John knew he wanted to come and work with J-R. He thanked everyone for coming and sharing this Holy day.
Baruch Bashan.
[cincopa AoDAcyKadF5S]
THANKSGIVING DAY Prana Menu:
Two different fully dressed salads,
Balsamic glazed beets with pistachios
Roasted baby miniature Brussel sprouts
Yams with tangerine sage glaze
Herb wheat dressing
Cornbread stuffing with chicken sausage, hazelnuts, and chanterelle mushrooms
Yukon gold mashed potatoes
Ranch free range Herb roasted turkey
Niman ranch roast top sirloin beef
Cranberry ginger relish
Cranberry sauce with pomegranates
And the desert table was chuck full of many, many kinds of deserts brought in by so many of those attending, to go with the specialty coffees and teas. Everything from:
Key lime pie,
Thanksgiving cake for J-R
Cheese Cakes with cherries/black raspberries & cranberries topping
Chocolate truffle parfaits
Cherry Pies
Chocolate tortes [and many other chocolate desserts!]
Fruit platters of many kinds of fresh fruit too.
etc.
