I work in a library which results in my always knowing what 3 weeks from today is even though I rarely know what today is.
Thinking about: Fun & Games, Family Traditions, Recreation ----
I began thinking about Thanksgiving which at the time was 3 weeks away.
The memory that clearly presented itself was the annual Thanksgiving dinners at my maternal grandmother's house.
Mom was the oldest of 6 children. When you add children, spouses & grandchildren managing to create a space for this dinner was tricky.
Some families would choose to serve from the counters, but not my grandma.
A full sit down dinner was required.
I'm not sure where the old wooden doors and saw horses were stored the rest of the year, but at Thanksgiving they made their annual appearance.
They were placed together with the table in some sort of puzzle piece fitting that only grandma knew. Once the table was together then it was time for the table cloth also placed in some sort of puzzle fashion that only grandma knew. The result was a ginormous table that appeared to be one table & cloth as long as it wasn't jostled at all.
Miraculously enough chairs appeared for everyone to sit. Although I distinctly remember 4 of us kids sitting on a piece of wood supported by saw horses at least one year.
 |
| Source: Clipart |
Grandma made turkey and all the fixings.
The chaos as the meal was cooking was incredible.
The moment all the food was placed on the table left everyone speechless.
One year grandma mistook icing sugar for flour which wasn't hard to do when all her cannisters were unlabeled glass jars. After adding more and more 'flour' while the gravy didn't thicken at all the mistake was realized.
That year's lack of gravy has been a family legend ever since.
As a child who was easily overwhelmed by sensory things this annual tradition was hard for me.
Looking back all I remember is the beauty of the table, the fun with my cousins, the love of my aunties & uncles, and most of all how beautiful my grandma was as she took the place of honour at the head of the table.
Memory is wonderful that way.
As the years go by the parts that were hard for me have disappeared from my memory leaving behind only the love & family.
My husband and I have combined our family of origin Thanksgiving traditions to create OUR family Thanksgiving traditions.
His family never used canned cranberries. His family also had squash and sweet potatoes (or yams). Our table has always had fresh cranberries, and always includes squash & sweet potatoes (or yams). Much to my husband's disappointment anything with marshmallow had to go.
I wonder what family traditions our 2 boys will keep, what they will change, and what they will remember of Thanksgivings of their childhood.
Remembering the family in the traditions!!!
This is why I search -
Cause ...
You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!
Links:
Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/
________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment