A grown-up Thanksgiving

I love this holiday. I always have. It was a big deal when I was a kid. Mom made the traditional feast, and believe me, it was a feast. She was a great cook, and set a beautiful table from the simplest materials – mostly found in the garden – to top the tablecloth handed down from others. All the family would gather, overeat, drink a bit (wink), tell stories, laugh and tease each other, and then play poker at the end of the day. Good Catholics and all.

We had plenty of issues in my family, never plenty of money, but holidays were a sacred time – and still are – to all of us. Starting at Thanksgiving and lasting through the New Year holiday, there seemed to be a little of the infamous Christmas magic hangin’ around. All the issues took a back seat during the holidays. Of course, the magic might’ve been the invention of a kid completely in love with the idea of all that holiday promise. I don’t know – perhaps it was a combination of dream and reality.

Whatever. As the song goes, it’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

These days, Thanksgiving is a little different. Parents are gone, and siblings each have their in-law families to celebrate the holiday with. Michael and I are fortunate enough to enjoy the day with dear friends who are as much family as friend.

And while the meal and the overeating and the stories and games will be similar, I will be playing the old tape in my mind and heart. I can see mom bustling about the kitchen, completely in her element cooking for her family. Everyone gathering around the dining room table, squeezing in and settling down for the bounty ahead, ever grateful for our loving, but imperfect, family.

The memory of it catches in my throat, yet I’m so grateful for having it close.

Our circle of family is bigger now with kids, step-kids, grandkids, and dear friends. And I know as I sit around the table tomorrow, laughing and telling stories, I will give thanks for my “today” family and cherish each memory-making moment.

Times change, situations change, but the heartfelt gratitude that we celebrate tomorrow is a constant – and not to be too redundant, but it’s a constant I’m grateful for.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Till next time,

Judy