Thanksgiving is a very nostalgic holiday for me. I cherish the warm and special moments spent with family for as long as I can remember. The first Thanksgiving table was at Mom and Dad’s home on MacArthur Drive. The next large table I remember was in Michael’s and my home on Scott St. More recently, the big table on Rose Circle has been the setting for our holiday memories. Lisa and Craig have created a special Thanksgiving for all of us for the past twenty years.
These memories of past Thanksgivings are blessed with the sharing of our families and extended families. There are also beautiful memories of those no longer at the table. I think Thanksgiving is a special reminder for me to remember to be present in the moment because there are no guarantees that all of us will be together again next year. This year will be the first year that Michael will not be with us. He always had special dishes to add to our celebrations. He loved to bring brussels sprouts with bacon and almonds. His green beans almondine were one of my favorites. The kiddos often preferred the classic green bean casserole but the parents were always game for something new.
Reminiscing with family about past holidays and traditions brings a warm and welcoming feeling to the day. No presents to take away from the simplicity and grace of this peaceful time. Mom taught me to start the Thanksgiving Day celebration by watching the Macy’s Parade. I can’t watch without thinking about all of the time spent with Mom.
In addition to being thankful for the memories and the wonderful family that I’ve shared my life with, I have grown to be grateful for the cards I have been dealt in this lifetime. I’m reminded that even though some of the cards have been dark and harder to deal with, they all come together to form the memories, the thankfulness, and the gratitude that make up my special thoughts about Thanksgiving Day.
This day also begins the holiday season. It warms us all up for the celebrations to come. To me, the season to share and show our love for each other creates an atmosphere of reflection. It’s not really sad but rather a time to remember the contributions we have all made to the lives of our families and to each other. I’ll start my day with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and look forward to a special family meal together.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving 2023, I will remember the decisions and preparations for our shared, family meals. This year, I’ll bring my green vegetable Jello with carrots, cabbage, pineapple, and pecans. We top it off with a dollop of mayonnaise. The adults love this concoction and the younger generation groans about this strange mixture. Since I can’t compete with Michael’s inventions in the kitchen, I have offered to bring the Classic Green Bean Casserole.
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