Waking up the morning of Thanksgiving changed over the years. As a child, the anticipation of turkey with all of the fixings at my Grandparents house was overwhelming. We drove the 5 miles on the country roads to their farm often singing out of key, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house we go!” The Thanksgiving of my memory has my cousins, aunts and uncles standing in the white and red kitchen waiting for food. I don’t know how many were there but the house always felt full. Maybe that was the love I felt. I am not sure everyone always got along, it might have been good, but if not they faked it well. I am glad for that.
Now as the Grandma I understand the excitement my Grandmother must have felt when the kids were coming over. This has become my favorite holiday, mostly stress free and the food has always remained consistent, comfortable. No matter the situation I found myself in, I was always grateful for Thanksgiving. Sometimes the times were quite dire, but the turkey and mashed potatoes never disappointed.
Today I take a few minutes early in the morning to be grateful for the memories, and the new ones we will make. We will share our Thanksgiving Day with some of grandkids, kids and Mark’s Mom. The turkey will be good, the yams superb, (because they just are) the lefse bountiful; I hope our grands will reflect on the holiday in 40 years as a good one, a safe and warm place to be, feeling the love of family.
I wish you all a Thanksgiving to remember.
