Turkey and dressing with cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, corn and fresh rolls followed by a large piece of pecan pie, a southern Thanksgiving spread fit for any Pilgrim. I love the fall and winter holidays and cherish the special time with family and friends. As a child, Halloween sparked the beginning of fall, but that really meant the start of the real holiday season leading up to Christmas.
Growing up my mother worked a full time job, she owned a retail business. I was always amazed by the skills she had when it came to taking care of the family and working to help my Dad create a good life for us. Mom would work all day, come home cook dinner, wash the clothes, clean the house and stay up at nights caring for us when we were sick. An awesome and talented lady she was. I can remember times when we got into trouble and her words would put more fear into us than a spanking, "wait till your Dad comes home and I tell him what you did." Mom was a gem, she could whip up a meal faster than most people can head to a fast food restaurant today and bring something home and the meals were healthy, not frozen. I remember her homemade spaghetti sauce cooked all day in a pressure cooker, absolutely delicious and usually even better the next day after it sat in the refrigerator overnight.
Our family was tight, Dad, Mom and the four boys, all stair step ages, and as we grew we ate a lot. There were times when Mom would prepare a meal and we all would get our portion, then one of us would ask," is there anymore." Mom would look at her plate and say, "I am done you can have mine." Being a young boy it never registered with me that she was sacrificing her meal to be sure we got enough to eat. Yes meals were a special time in our home. Dad always wanted us at the table for dinner that was family time. We talked about things going on in our lives and my life was just as important as everyone else's. We were asked about our friends and what was going on at school, important things that parents need to know about. My parents were involved in our lives and that made us feel wanted, loved and accepted. There was no horsing around at the table either, the table was a sacred place reserved for family time. I can remember the famous words that I am sure most everyone reading this can remember, "Eat everything on your plate, there are children in China starving." At times I wanted to say, " then box this up and send it to them because I don't like it," but I knew better. Table time was family time and family time was special. When Brenda and I started our family we held to the same traditions we were both raised with, family meals was family time. The television was shut off and everyone gathered around the table for dinner. We also talked and discussed the things that affected our lives and family. We questioned our children about their friends and school; we wanted them to feel important and loved. They now have their families and for the most part hold the same traditions for dinner and family time.
This year Brenda and I have crossed off an item on our bucket list and moved to Tennessee. We have elected to spend Thanksgiving here, not because we don't want to spend time with our children and grandchildren, we just decided to stay close to home. This is not a bad thing because they will be eating with their in-laws allowing the grands to spend time with their other grandparents. As I grow in maturity and age I have come to realize that the meal is just that a meal. It is no different than any other meal that we share; it is simply eaten on a day that is specified as a national holiday. Thanksgiving is a day when we stop and reflect on the things that matter, our values, our morals, our health, and our faith. I love the Anhueser Busch commercial that aired on Thanksgiving for years where the Clydesdales are pulling the wagon on a snow covered road in the country at dusk. The lamp in the window of the home in the distance is dimly shining in the fading evening light and the music is playing low enough that you can hear the hoofs of the massive horses as they clop on the road. It always brings on a feeling of melancholy to think of the beauty of the day and the thought that as Americans we have so much to be thankful for. Whether you are sharing this Thanksgiving with your family, large or small, or friends that are special, spend the time reflecting on memories and blessings. Our families and friends may leave us but the memories are forever embedded in our mind.
All this talk about food has made me hungry, I hear the kitchen calling.
Life Happens
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