I was thinking today about how Thanksgiving has changed in my life. It used to be a day when my mother would cook all morning and then we would have a houseful for a 1pm dinner. Then we would go down to South Dartmouth to visit my Uncle Al and Aunt Marge. I would be stuffed but my Aunt Marge wouldn’t hear of it. “Eat, eat. Can I make you a plate?” No matter what, I had to have some of her stuffing with chourico.
Once we got married, Priscilla and I realized if we invited everyone to our house we wouldn’t have to eat two or three meals as we made our visits. We started our own tradition and I learned how to carve a turkey. I never asked for that job I guess it came with hosting.
The number of chairs around our Thanksgiving table has changed throughout the years. I’ve been thinking about that lately as my children have grown up and there’s only one left at home now. We’ve had children grow up, nieces that have moved and quite a few that have passed on.
It’s funny that I find myself thinking that things have changed this year but they’ve actually always been changing. I guess if I listed attendance from every year I would notice that change has always been happening. I’m sure it’s been happening for you too.
I think we should enjoy those memories. Think back to the Thanksgiving of your youth, I’m sure there’s a funny memory in there. An Uncle who fell asleep in the corner with a full belly or for me it was the Aunt who always had to know how big the turkey was. I never did ask her why she needed to know but she would always ask.
Was there a “kids” table? I used to sit at one and later in life had my children sitting at one. It was a lot more work as the dad. I think my food was cold by the time I finished dishing out their plate.
I remember my mom, and later my wife, just sitting and relaxing after all had been fed. That feeling of, “That’s it? All that work and it’s all done?”
I remember the year my son surprised us and drove home from the Navy base for Thanksgiving. I remember my daughter’s first time hosting the dinner.
We’ve gone from a high of 23 around the table (And kids table) to just five this year. It’s different but I think it was always different to some degree.
I pray that you’re not alone this Thanksgiving but if you are, remember those days. Don’t be sad that they’re in the past, be glad that they were there.
Say a word of thanks that you are blessed with those memories.
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