Thanksgiving Invitations
I come from a very large southern family. My family members have spread across the US. It takes several weeks for us to figure out accommodations for out of town family members. We also have to plan a menu weeks ahead of schedule to assure that everyone will have an assortment of foods to eat regardless of their dietary needs and/or restrictions.
I went to the track with my sister, Sheryl today. Sheryl recounted a text conversation she had with her son’s girlfriend, April. My sister son told her that his girlfriend wouldn’t be able to go home for Thanksgiving asked if he could invite her to our Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, my sister said yes. My sister’s son is a pescatarian and his girlfriend is a vegan.
My family has many members that are vegetarians, pescatarians, we have members with food allergies and with dietary restrictions because chronic illnesses. Our family is used to cooking for guests with dietary restrictions. My sister received a text from April, instead of a thank you for the invitation to our Thanksgiving dinner April sent my sister a text message outlining her, let’s call them demands, to attend our Thanksgiving dinner. She sent my sister a text stating that she wanted to be assured that the food would be separated. She didn’t want her vegan food items on the table with non-vegan items. My sister said the text was a little demanding, but she let it go and texted back that we separate foods based on the food groups and allergies of dinner guests. We also put place cards in front of the dishes that list ingredients. For example, green beans, with turkey.
My sister said she received another text from April asking that all meat dishes be placed in the kitchen out of sight. April also wanted us to prepare our meat before she arrives. She doesn't want the smell of meat - in her words- to permeate the air. Well, that would be hard to do since we barbecue ribs, smoke hams and fry turkeys on Thanksgiving day. Meat smells permeate the air for hours after we have finished cooking. April also sent a list of her preferred foods and asked that her food be cooked with coconut oil and fresh herbs and spices My sister said the after reading over April’s text messages several times she sent the the following text to April, “Unfortunately, our family will not be able to accommodate your visual and olfactory dietary restrictions, but if you would still like to attend our Thanksgiving dinner we look forward to the vegan dishes that you bring to our dinner.