{"id":10364,"date":"2013-12-02T19:07:49","date_gmt":"2013-12-03T03:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/?p=10364"},"modified":"2017-04-10T12:47:27","modified_gmt":"2017-04-10T19:47:27","slug":"a-thanksgiving-full-of-blessings-at-prana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/archives\/10364-a-thanksgiving-full-of-blessings-at-prana","title":{"rendered":"A Thanksgiving Full of Blessings at Prana"},"content":{"rendered":"

No rain, just a beautiful cool sunny day, with everyone coming Home to Prana<\/a> for Thanksgiving.\u00a0\u00a0 Even as folks were still registering on the front porch, there were others walking the labyrinth, and many families gathering on the courtyard for hot artichoke dip and crackers.\u00a0 Like the mother and grandmother I am, I looked all around and saw so many loved ones, families, couples, and others I’ve known for decades and I was already filling with love.<\/p>\n

Rick Ojeda and Zoe Golightly were our MC’s for the day, greeting us as we stood in a great all around the pool. We proceeded in two lines into the dining room …. with the \u201coohs\u201d and \u201caahs\u201d as hungry eyes feasted on the dessert table first.<\/p>\n

Chefs David Funk and Kelly Funk created an enormous feast … and of course their small army of kitchen folks merrily worked from early hours the day before Thanksgiving preparing everything.\u00a0 So if you want to know what one of our fabulous Pres does behind the scenes …. it’s KP duty\u2026 he bakes luscious home made brownies!<\/p>\n

With full plates, folks were filing out of the dining room, sitting at beautifully decorated and simply elegant tables in all the public rooms.\u00a0\u00a0 Loving each other, loving good food, loving filled the air along with gratitude from the get go!\u00a0\u00a0 Behind the scenes – Howard and Jeeni Lawrence TC’d an experienced volunteer crew who attended to every need of the diners.\u00a0\u00a0 Across from the fireplace was the Traveler’s table where John Morton<\/a> and Leigh Taylor-Young Morton were joined by John’s son Zane. Other family at the table were Michael, Alisha & Josh Hayes, Eric & Kelly Raleigh, and Jaime King with her spouse and baby.\u00a0\u00a0 Everywhere I looked it was FAMILY and everyone home for Thanksgiving — giving thanks in our hearts, giving thanks for John-Roger<\/a>, giving thanks for our blessed home and lives.<\/p>\n

With full hearts and tummies, it was announced that now the dessert table was open – and – we discovered – there’s always more room for dessert!\u00a0 Sigh. Grateful smiles all around as new lines formed in the the dining room.<\/p>\n

Next, our MCs, Rick Ojeda and Zoe Golightly, began the talent and entertainment portion of the day.\u00a0 Oh yes.\u00a0 Of course there’s more at Thanksgiving at Prana.\u00a0 We do entertain royally!\u00a0 And surprises were in store for us.<\/p>\n

First up, Zoe explained it’s also the first day of Hanukah, and introduced Carol Moskovitz, who shared how Hanukah came into being 21 centuries ago, and the miracle of the one night’s oil, that burned for 8 nights.\u00a0 Hanukah means rededication to the Light.\u00a0 Carol sang two of the Hebrew blessings:\u00a0 The Baruch [which means Blessing] for blessing God who commanded us to light the lights of Hanukah, and a second Baruch to remember the miracles from our ancestors of days of old.\u00a0\u00a0 Carol then lit the Candles.<\/p>\n

Next Rick introduced a favorite singer and new Prana resident, Clara Jaramillo, who sang acapella, “In the Arms of the Angel”.<\/p>\n

Next Zoe introduced Jeeni Lawrence who sang a song for John-Roger<\/a>, called, “I was here.\u00a0 The song was full of Thanksgiving: “I lived, I loved, I was here.”<\/p>\n

Rick then introduced Josh Hayes, whose first Thanksgiving performance was 6 years ago!\u00a0 Josh jammed on his electric guitar at lightening speed.<\/p>\n

Zoe then introduced another Prana resident, Win Hampton. \u00a0Win shared his loving and a poem dedicated to his dear friends, who travel with him … J-R and John.\u00a0 “I have Found the One.”<\/p>\n

Rick then introduced another Prana resident, Miriam Reiss, who shared her comic wit in “It’s Thanksgiving at Prana,” and really focused on Thanksgiving and Hanukah together. After explaining the miracle of the Light that burned for 8 days, Miriam let us know that actually Chef David Funk preparing a Thanksgiving Dinner for 250 people ever year is the “True Miracle.”<\/p>\n

Back to music, Zoe introduced the wonderful voice of Prana resident Kim Guisinger.\u00a0 Accompanying Kim on piano was new Prana resident, LeAnne Sharp. Then Kim sang exquisitely, “Like a Bird on a Wire.”<\/p>\n

Rick then introduced a beautiful young lady guest, new to all of us, Meriette, who shared about herself as a Muslim and the oneness, and her gratitude touched all our hearts.<\/p>\n

Continuing with the gratitude theme, Rick asked everyone to turn to their neighbors and what they’re really grateful about.\u00a0 I turned to the dear lady sitting next to me — we’ve been heart sisters since 1976 \u2013 Saivahanni.\u00a0 We just held in silence with each other – far beyond words – our Loving of God.<\/p>\n

Rick then introduced another favorite entertainer, Barbara Wieland. Barbara explained she quested for the ultimate Thanksgiving song for her, and so playing piano, she sang an old hymn, “The Presence of Your Love, Thank you Lord.”<\/p>\n

Zoe introduced another favorite Thanksgiving performer through the years, Sally Kirkland, who gave us a poem she wrote, dedicated to John-Roger<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Next, John Morgan played his guitar, and sang a new country song he composed, “Standing by the Open Door.” John explained it reflected decades with John-Roger<\/a> into about 4 minutes ….. and he sang,<\/p>\n

“Loving you is easy, but missing you is hard, standing by the open door,”\u00a0 and some folks were now teary eyed … us old timers knew his song in our hearts.<\/p>\n

Next Zoe introduced Stu and Jeff Semigran – who ran up dressed in their baseball shirts and hats.\u00a0\u00a0 Folks were in an uproar clapping and laughing at this comedy duo doing the classic “Who’s on first, What’s on second.”\u00a0 And of course, Tomorrow is the pitcher, and Today is the catcher — those are all the ball players names, folks.\u00a0\u00a0 They delivered their lines rapid fire — I think it was one of the unexpected “hits” of the night.<\/p>\n

Rick introduced next, Prana residents Kevin McMillan and LeAnne Sharp — as they sat at the piano, and dedicated their song to John-Roger<\/a>, John Morton<\/a>, and the Travelers<\/a> through the Ages.\u00a0 They sang a duet, “Not a day goes by, Not a blessed day, as the days go by.”\u00a0 Really sweet!<\/p>\n

Next Zoe called up Gabe Morgan who played the piano, sang and rocked the house with, “I sailed an ocean, Sail on, Sail on, Sailor.”<\/p>\n

Even though we are filled with delight, filled tummies, full hearts, an even greater blessing comes forth. John Morton<\/a> comes forward to share with us and bless us.\u00a0 He reminded us about this too being the 150th<\/sup> anniversary of the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, and Lincoln making the proclamation for Thanksgiving to be an official holiday of thanksgiving and prayer.\u00a0 John shared further about George Washington also claiming Thanksgiving a national holiday. He shared about Valley Forge, and Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. \u00a0Then John led us in prayer with a great blessing upon all.<\/p>\n

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