Turkey Day

Mini sprints for 11/26

Another Thanksgiving. I remember previous years, when Ver had everyone gather at her house. We spent most og the day before cooking a variety of things, then on the day itself, we cooked starting pretty early. The turkey was in the special roaster that was only used on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The green bean casserole, the Waldorf salad, the mashed potatoes the sweet potatoes covered with marshmallow and the over baked rolls. Of course, we cannot forget the desserts, pecan pie, apple pie, and the banana pudding. Stories told about previous holidays, talking about the relatives who were no longer with us and those who couldn't make it that year.

It was different after she passed when mom tried to keep us all together. it worked a little bit, since there were my siblings and their families. it was all the extended family, many had passed away, and others didn't seem to be interested. Sometimes there were more present that other years but, it was never the same.

When mom passed it really did get very different. No one seemed to have enough room or enough interest to keep the family as close. My niece tried a few times and we managed to gather at restaurants a few times. It just never had the same feeling. This year, I am trying. Not at my house but at my church with everyone bringing a favorite dish or two. My kids, Jims' and some of the grandkids, my bothers' kids and their families, one of my other brothers and his sister, and my sister-friend. We should have 20 or so. I even invited my ex. The last time we tried this, at the church then too, we accidently set off the alarm and we had some police show up. Once we got it all settled, we invited them, too. Much to our...

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...surprise they came back and joined us. iI was better than okay. No drama, lots of laughter. It worked out, which is why I am doing it again. I'm really hoping that next year, it will be at my house where we can all relax and enjoy each others' company. Maybe we can even do it again the following month and have a real family Christmas. I miss that. I miss the decorations, the smiles and joy of the youngest, even the bittersweet fellings that i know will come when I think about my mom and my brother.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. It is a blessing that we can be grateful for what we have and appreciate each day that we live.