Thanksgiving

Not until next Thursday, yet preparation is part of the process. In spite of the saying Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday, a varied population now has their own take on the day; however, all seem to involve singularly or together food, gathering, and traveling. Spoiler alert, those are my paragraphs. Step in as your memory leads you.

For the majority, The Bird seems to hold center stage. Math is necessary to pinpoint how many are coming and how much meat is needed for the main meal and sandwiches in the evening if that is your plan. For a wedding gift, I got two long handled turkey spoons to serve out dressing: homemade or store-bought, cornbread or white toast, giblet or plain, baked in the turkey or served as a side. My daughter’s in-laws have only had smoked Greenberg turkeys. The taste is ok. The come hither smell is definitely missing. So far it has taken ten emails from various Smiths to verify that all sides are covered, especially the desserts. The last decision is whether a presentation is made of the whole bird garnished with orange rings and sprigs of parsley or is the plater brought to the table sliced and ready to be prayed over and served.

My heart would go out to a one person celebrant. Options offered by churches or a thoughtful friend are possible. Even our three person family included a variety at times. My dad had ag boys tending to animals over the holiday and they shared our meal. The families around our block had a moveable feast one year and another year a variation of a picnic on the badminton field between two houses. Smiths gravitate to Live Oak Ranch after years of gathering to eat and then to wave good-by the next morning as hunters left for a deer hunt. In your history, who are you sitting between in your very special year?

My Thanksgiving vision is being suspended above a vast map looking at transportation from wagons in years past, to a 1950 Chevrolet moving toward Shreveport, to an airplane from Chicago descending to land at San Antonio. My favorite memory is a wet cold Thanksgiving when two young adult cousins had met up at an A&M/UT game and impetuously decided to join a feast of family and food. And there was room at the table for everyone. Tradition matters and this very year is open to add a special memory. For whatever is served, whoever can be a part, wherever it is held, be thankful and look ahead. A commandment given at an earlier time fits this year perfectly.

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 14:34