Cherished Memories
On this Thanksgiving morning, the memories of the past are drifting into my mind. I clearly remember the sounds and smells that would fill our house as my dad was preparing our family feast. He loved to cook and even more he loved to feed people. Nothing made my dad happier than having his entire family under one roof. He would make the turkey, his home-made rolls, chocolate meringue pie, apple pie, and my mom would make the dressing, home-made cranberry sauce.. not out of a can, and pumpkin pie. The kitchen would be a wreck because he never liked to clean as he went… He would just keep throwing things into the sink. I can smell the smoked turkey and the pumpkin pie as I type this. And I can taste that first bite of chocolate pie that I do not have the recipe to make like he did.
We had many years of memories celebrating at my parents’ home and some years we would celebrate with my Aunt Kay Kay and Uncle Ronnie at their home. We always had to plan our meal to give my aunt time to volunteer at Meals on Wheels in the morning so for most of my life our meal time was at 2 pm. I remember the first time that I saw canned cranberry sauce at my aunt’s home. I said, “Is that beets?” She said, “No that is cranberry sauce!” I said, '“ No, it’s not!” So now I always make the cranberry sauce for our family gatherings because canned cranberry sauce is no bueno. One year I thought I would dress it up and add orange zest and the next year, my mom said, “When you make the cranberry sauce will you please make it like I did and not put that other stuff in it?” So now I don’t mess with tradition, I just boil the cranberries and add sugar and water…
I know I seem to be talking mostly about the food, but that is not what is most important to me. I remember the love and laughter. I can hear my dad’s voice and I can smell my aunt’s perfume that would linger on my clothes for hours after a big hug from her. Today I am so grateful that God blessed me with the family that I have. I miss my dad, my aunt and uncle, and so many other friends and family that are now in Heaven. The family that I celebrate with has changed but the cherished memories of the past are still a part of me and I wouldn’t trade one second. I wish I had appreciated those moments more as they were happening and lingered a little longer, taken more photos and even videos.
Every Thanksgiving as long as I can remember, I get up to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I watched it this morning and it made me feel like a little girl again. I love seeing all of the old balloons and the new ones. At the end when I watch the Radio City Rockettes I always wish I had been gifted with the legs of a Rockette and could kick like that. Santa is always on the last float and when I see him, I’m as excited as I was as a young child. It’s the beginning of the Christmas season. So yes, now I give all of you permission to decorate your homes and start playing Christmas music.
I have to wrap this up now so that I can finish getting ready to go to my mom’s home and help her prepare for this year’s family gathering. As I type this, I am praying blessings over all of my family and friends that you will take time today to enjoy the present moment while you cherish the precious memories of Thanksgiving’s past in your heart. I love you all.