November 25, 2021 Thanksgiving

Good morning, everyone. It's the morning of Thanksgiving and I am sitting here quietly enjoying a cup of coffee while everyone in the house in still snoozing in bed. I wasn't going to write anything this week since we are off the fish thing until next week. 

As I was contemplating how I was going to stage our Thanksgiving dinner with family and some some of our friends (cooking the whole meal is my favorite part - duck confit instead of turkey as the centerpiece in our household), I couldn't help but think about a few things.

It is truly amazing to think that this special community shares so much. In essence, every week we sell some particular fish or sauce or marinade or special item that we all end up enjoying together at the same time. We shuck oysters together. We dip into whitefish salad together. We slice up hamachi together. We glaze salmon together. Every week. The knowledge that we are a small part of your lives is such a rewarding element of what we do and is the single most important driver that keeps us going. You are our neighbors and friends so we want to step up for you. 

It is so rewarding to know that some of your lives have changed because of us. You eat more fish. You cook more fish. You've discovered fish you never thought you liked or never even heard of before. Your kids like fish now and are actually eating it at home! You shuck oysters regularly. You eat smoked salmon and whitefish salad more than you ever did. You've learned how to cook fish at restaurant caliber levels. And most of all, you've shared your experiences of all of that with us. 

I can tell you that I am thankful that you still want to come pick up seafood at a truck or even read these, at times, lengthy emails. Ok, maybe always wordy but there is something to say about the seafood world and where our food comes from and there is something to say about what to do with it so...

Anyway, all I am trying to say is thank you. Now, Thanksgiving as two parts to it. The thanks and the giving. As far a giving goes, I would like to ask you all to think a bit about giving to those that are in need mentally and emotionally. I am not talking only about the severe cases of which we all need to help after this extremely difficult period we've been through. I am also talking about those people around us that we know and care about that may be functional in most aspects of their lives but are suffering inside. They could be kids, they could be parents, they could be spouses and they could be friends. Some people deal with difficulty through withdrawal, denial and escape. Some people try to find relief through substances that can numb the pain temporarily yet only ends up deepening the hole. Besides Covid as a pandemic, we've also had a pandemic of substance abuse and overdose. It is a little harder to talk about and deal with for sure. All I am going to say, then, is if you know someone who is struggling with this, embrace them. Sit with them. Let them know you are there. The opposite of addiction isn't abstinence. It is connection. And if you are the one suffering, please don't push those who care about you away. There will be only God to help you when there is no one left to warn you that you are flying too close to the sun. Trust me, I know myself.

We are going into a dangerous holiday period for those at risk. Family stuff can be hard. Being along can be tough. Give thanks, yes, but give love too. 

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone and we'll see you next week.

Peace

Robert Amar
Small World Seafood
Owner