Do you have a funny Thanksgiving story? One that just has to be
retold every year? The year the dog got the turkey or all the Great
Aunts got tipsy while making the gravy? What about a special tradition
in your family? Be it silly or somber, is it what signifies the holiday
to you and yours? Say, a maiden aunt's crookneck squash turkeys made
with colored toothpicks and construction paper. They sat precariously on
their little toothpick legs, among the floral centerpiece and old
wedding silver. And of course, those certain foods and recipes that your
group's Thanksgiving table will never be without. Aunt Sue's Broccoli
Salad or long gone Visie's yeast rolls. One taste, and she's back in
the kitchen with you, bossing everyone and holding court.
Hands
down, Thanksgiving is the best holiday of all. Understand, I love
Christmas as much as the next person, but the shopping and decorating
and weeks of leading up to, and days of taking down, are not exactly
relaxing. It's the holiday that goes on forever. And all those
expectations that have to be met. It's nerve-wracking. It's expensive.
It's exhausting.
Thanksgiving. Now there's a holiday. You still
get the family without the fuss. It's fallish. It's festive. It's fun.
Everyone in one place without a game plan. There's time to catch up.
Time to reconnect. And best of all, time to remember.
As the
preceding generation leaves us, it becomes harder to stay connected.
When my Mother and her sister were gone, the cousins all kind of
floated, loosey goosey. First our Grandparents, and then our Mothers
were no longer in charge. We realized very quickly how much we needed
each other. We realized we wanted our children to have what we had been
so blessed with. We grew up together with a strong sense of self. We
had a knowledge of where we came from and who we were. The greatest
gift we could give to our loved ones memory (and the greatest gift to
ourselves) was to continue instilling a strong sense of family.
Additionally, when we are gone, the younger generation will have each
other to support and love them like only family can. They share a
history because they have shared their lives.
Cousins move out
of their house so you can stay there while your daughter is having
heart surgery. Sister-in law's have Valentine parties for your
grandchildren and shop better for your family than you do. Brothers sit
with your husband while he smokes 25 Thanksgiving turkeys or dog sit
their niece's Jack Russell, a dog only family could love. Brothers know
why you are who you are, because they were there too. They know all the
inside jokes. One key word and you look at each other and burst out
laughing. Floyd! HA HA HA. Cousins
bring baby presents and cry with you at funerals and have Easter
get-togethers because Thanksgiving only comes once a year. Nieces and
Nephews grow up with each other and then, these cousins start the
marriage and new baby cycle all over again. That's the way it's supposed
to work isn't it?
How about it? Put those Christmas lights
down! Leave Santa in the attic a day or two more. Let the pumpkins and
the mums stay for the weekend. Don't miss this holiday getting ready
for the next one. May your Thanksgiving be memorable. May your
Thanksgiving be happy. May your Thanksgiving be delicious. And most
importantly, may your Thanksgiving be blessed with the gift of family.
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