Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving week is upon us. It's busy flow can be observed in the reduction of blog posts on many blogs (including this one). Life is busy preparing for this wonderful American holiday. This is the holiday of FOOD! Everywhere one goes, someone is talking about what they'll be making for Thanksgiving dinner and asking what I'm making as well. Our family has traditionally always gone to my husband's parents for this holiday. They've always been generous with this event, inviting others who might be otherwise alone. My sister-by-marriage is Canadian, so there was not competition from her family for this holiday and my mother was always invited for dinner just like we were. Nine years ago my mother-by-marriage learned she had breast cancer. Three years later, on the day after Thanksgiving, she passed away. We were all with her at her home when she died. Her favorite holiday is one in which we remember her for her joy in it, and with sadness because it was during one such week-end that she left us. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday of all. It was a family time and all the grandchildren loved going to Grandma's and Grandpa's for each Thanksgiving. Grandma would set a separate table for them, complete with lace tablecloth, centerpiece, candles, special napkins, and placecards ---- just like the adults had at their table. When they all grew up to late teens and early adults, they were a little unhappy that they were then incorporated into the adult table! I think they enjoyed their unique table and the special touches Grandma always added to it for them. Our menu has been the same for Thanksgiving dinner for the past twenty-nine years. Each of us always is assigned the same 'dishes' to prepare, and we arrive Thanksgiving morning loaded down with food for fellowship and sharing together. My mother always washed the dishes for the group by hand, even after her own cancer crippled her. The other ladies dried and a few times the men were enlisted to help with this merry chore. Both Grandma's are gone now, and they are so missed --- especially during this holiday of Thanksgiving. But we carry on, remembering them and being grateful for the many ways they benefitted us and enriched our lives in a million and one ways. And we will do the same this Thursday, remembering them as we share the blessings of fellowship on this upcoming Thanksgiving day.