Our Beloveds J-R and John Morton were present, and my Thanksgiving day was already complete. So much gratitude. Thank God! Thanksgiving Day at Prana had blue clear skies, beautiful weather, as we congregated on the patio around the pool eating our hors d’oeuvres. Ah, the artichoke dip! Finally we were all called inside to our seats, and I found everyone joining up, circling arms with others gathered to give thanks.

Well, here’s a peak behind the scenes the day before Thanksgiving. It was a joyful early Wednesday morning. The kitchen appeared normal, but in the back of the dining room David Funk had it humming, with white-aproned volunteers lovingly chopping, dicing, and preparing so many of the food dishes we’ll be eating Thanksgiving day. I mean, even our MSIA Pres was spotted in his white apron joining in the preparations.  I came to my desk buzzing with uplifting “energy” of joy. I needed a spiritual “shot” to get me moving since I had finished baking two cheesecakes at about 1:30am in the morning. Carol Jones’ and her volunteers completed the set up of the tables and chairs and Thanksgiving day decorations, which looked better than ever!

Back to Thanksgiving day.  Rick Ojeda, our MC, called upon John Morton to call in the Light. We were then ushered up the dining room steps into the dining room which, in addition to all of the healthy main course food, was filled with dessert tables piled high — you know, the Thanksgiving teasers where you look but don’t touch yet!  We had a cultural mix of desserts of Korean, Chinese, Jewish, Mexican, Spanish, Southern comfort, New England style, and California fusion. Everything from pies, cakes, brownies, cheesecakes, pumpkin pies, or wheat-free, sugar-free, dairy-free and things I can’t even pronounce!

As we enjoyed our meal, a welcome surprise was Merrill Collins on piano providing her own creative dinner music, such a delight.  And soon, Rick Ojeda was introducing our afternoon’s entertainment.  So here goes:

1. Beth Hinman – with two original poems, ending with “I Was There.”

2. Jeeni Lawrence – sang “When I Look In Your Eyes,” which she dedicated to J-R.

3. Daniel Safron – sang Hava Nagila, in Hebrew and MSIA style.

4. Kim Guisinger’s song was in honor of the Traveler in Beethoven, and dedicated to the Traveler John Morton.

5. Clara B. Jaramillo – sang “Baruch Bashan”, an original song with audience members expressing what they are grateful for.

Rick then introduced the Intermission time so folks could go and get their desserts.  Everyone clapped and expressed their loving for J-R as he and his staff left the building.

Once intermission was over, Rick introduced the second half of the entertainment.

6.  Jimmy Ness dedicated his original song to the Traveler in John-Roger, the Traveler in John Morton and the Traveler in everybody. He then sang, “Bridge to Heaven Evermore.”

7.  Denise Lumiere – played piano as she sang an original song, she dedicated to John Morton, called “It’s Inside of Me.”

8.  Eric Lumiere – sang his new song written one night at Prana. To our surprise, he put his iPad on the piano stand to read the words of the song.

9.  Sally Kirkland, our perennial Thanksgiving lady, introduced J-R’s “Forgiveness” book once again, reading “Open Your Heart to Spirit,” “Speak Kind Words,” and “Seek First the Kingdom.”

10. Sylvia Giussani surprised us all singing “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” a capella.

11. Claudia Flores came forth with her children and led everyone in a bajan, “Love In All Ways, Always In Love.”

12. Stephen Sandorf played an original guitar piece, “Swing Guitar”, that he dedicated to John-Roger, John Morton and his wife Sung Lee.

13. Clara Jaramillo was back, introducing her fiancée, Ivan Castro, who played guitar as she sang a Spanish song from Peru.

14. Miriam Reiss – shared a short comedy about the upper bedrooms in the East wing which ended with a song, “Thank Heavens.”

15. Valerie Ojeda ended our day’s entertainment, as the sun was going down, singing a song called: “Who I Am.”

John Morton then gave a closing Blessing for Thanksgiving, sharing about the first Thanksgiving, and leading us hand in hand with the Christ and the Holy Spirit touching us all here, and then out into the world.  “Have a great Life,” I heard him say.

And we all do, thank God!