Talking Turkey 2

First Things First:

A friend commented about the time of my posts yesterday. Well, I don't know why but the posts times are wrong. I have no idea how they mark time. Yesterday's post said 5:29 am, which may sound ridiculous and it was for yesterday because I posted after 9:00am. My friend is correct inferring that it is normal for me being that I am compulsive and ready to start my days early...it's all about organization. I am a "nut". Today I am sitting here and it is 5:40am. I try to post by 10:00am on most days.

Thanksgiving Memories

Ladies, after getting married and moving out of state, I became used to holidays without family. I continued to fix traditional meals and set a festive table for two, but my heart longed for group laughter and family drama. Honestly! One doesn't know how precious family can be until they are either gone or unreachable. The holidays were better after the kids were born. I laugh when I think of how my boys fell asleep at the dinner table when we sat down to eat, one Thanksgiving. It was actually pitiful because they were so excited about the "BIG" turkey in the oven and were looking forward to the meal. However, I was such a woman of routine that my boys' bodies were used to 1:00pm naps and our Thanksgiving meal was served at 1:00. I laughed only because the boys had such a compulsive mother that they missed Thanksgiving. The laugh was on me.

I shared in an earlier blog about the pumpkin pie fights. I guess when a family makes 12+ pies there are some to spare. I am sure we used the store bought pies for the fight. We used to tease about who would eat the Sara Lees my uncle's wife would bring. My aunt taught me to make pie crusts and I remember one Thanksgiving making one right after another on her bright yellow 70s kitchen table. I also told you that all the cousins would pile up literally in our big 70s boats...I mean cars and head to the movies. We all wanted a window seat but the oldest cousins prevailed. I wonder what the parents did when we were gone.

I think of my grandmother whom I loved dearly and how she would cook a turkey every year. My mom would take her to find the largest turkey she could purchase. I remember going to bread thrift stores to get day old bread to toast for dressing. This might not seem too challenging until you envision Mom, Grandma with her cane, 4 children + 2 more children we babysat all piled into a big Mercury being drug in and out of stores. Mom would gather up her 3 girls and have us toast and tear bread for Grandma to use in her dressing every Thanksgiving eve. She was a very grateful and thankful person and she loved unconditionally.

I have other memories that weren't so pleasant. I think of times when my dad actually was with us on Thanksgiving. I remember wondering if dad was going to drink too much, or start a fight. I remember hoping I would get asked to spend the night somewhere so I would not have to go home when he drank. I am at peace now with my past and my father's plight with alcoholism but when you are a young girl, it is frightening. This memory leads me into my true point of this blog.

Family, no matter who they are or how they behave, belong and should be celebrated. You can't abandon the blood you share.

Every holiday season I have friends who feel challenged and even stressed about balancing family time with all the relatives. I have friends who can't wait until it's all over. I have listened to them and have even said that I am grateful for just the 4 of us. Earlier, I posted information about getting along with difficult family members at get togethers. There are many tips and ideas you can retract from the Internet. You just have to choose to be proactive in the research and application. However, I don't want to focus on the stress. I want to focus on the joy.

Midst the laughter, the blaring TV, the crying children, and the cleaning of dishes, stop and look and absorb. These people are your kin. These people have or can contribute to who you are. Make it a game to yourself to identify one or more good character traits, or even a physical trait of your relatives. I loved my Grandmothers hands. They were always softened with lotion. They were large yet not manly. She had arthritis. Her nails were always polished, even in her 80s. Her hands had history. My mom's hands are small. I love to see her cook with them. I think they are funny. She has terrible nails however. Her fist would shake to warn us kids of impending discipline if we didn't straighten up. It was hilarious until she made good on her warning. I like to remember my aunt Linda who couldn't look or act mad if she wanted to...at least to us kids. We think shes the nice one. I remember thinking she was a cool aunt. She always had nice cars - Mustang, Cougar, etc. Give this activity a try on Thursday. It could change your perspective or enhance an already good time.

I hope this Thanksgiving you will enjoy laughter and precious tears celebrating the gift of family. The gift of sharing life. Do something to shock the family into a good belly laugh. Bring an Easter basket of rolls. Wear white shoes! Start a new tradition...I would avoid a pie fight. Put aside the hurt and disappointments and allow God to transform you into a light heart, forgiving, gentle person. For those of you who get it right on the holidays, I am thankful for you. You are the relative I am sure one finds comfort in. The one who represents God well and celebrates Thanksgiving for what it's truly about - Giving yourself, giving thanks, and giving family a special place in your heart.

Our Thanksgiving Guest

I am traveling to pick up my 16 year old nephew near Virginia tomorrow afternoon. I will have family! New memories will be made I am sure. Probably something like a burping contest, or who can eat the most rolls. There will be drama over who gets the Turkey legs. The dishes will pile up, and it will be loud. The guys will wear comfy boy clothes. No pretty frilly girl outfits...boo hoo. They will make fun of their moms and dads to our face. They will whine about participating in "What are you Thankful for?" around the table. They will probably say something smart. It will be work; it will be exhausting; and I CAN'T WAIT!!

Today's hodge podge of ramblings are more about what's going through my mind today. Tomorrow I plan to share my heart. I hope to fill it with inspiration and prayer to prepare us for Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for reading. I love you truly.

PS: I am posting this at 8:30 am. I had to take a break to fix breakfast for overnight guests. I made them Mickey Mouse pancakes with chocolate chips and sprinkles. I am sure their teachers' are going to appreciate the sugar rush! Lol!