Thanksgiving is a few weeks away. It's time for good food, good times and family.
The food has always been big for me. Sitting down to eat a well prepared, amazing tasting meal is always awesome. But there is something about preparing an amazing tasting meal. The younger me would pour over a million recipes in search of something new and exciting to try. I would attempt to sneak this new treat onto our eclectic but traditional for us table. One year I added oysters and raisins to the dressing. Even I was not crazy about the flavor. My attempts were often greeted with "Girl, what are trying to do?' Some were hits and some were misses. The oyster raisin dressing was a definite miss! All were cooked with love.
Not only am I an only child, but I am also a child of divorce. So, there was always multiple holidays. This I loved! Each house with a different table, different traditions was amazing. Not all aspects of divorce have to be difficult.
My grandmother, an amazing cook in her own right would prepare turkey and dressing. Yes, dressing. Baked mac and cheese, greens, cornbread, seven-layer salad. Oh, and don't forget the chitlins. They may smell awful, but man,I love them. The little farm would be jam packed with people talking loud and talking sh--.
My mother's home was more tamed and nuch quieter. Filled with the smell of cajun gumbo, seven up cake in addition to the baked mac/cheese, greens, potato salad and jerk turkey. Oh, and sweet potato pie! Can't have a celebration without the sweet potato pie. Mom's kitchen was always stuffed with family standing around cooking and reminiscing. Young boys stealing food before it hit the table.
The energy and love of these kitchens is what I remember best. It is also what I hope I transferred to my boys. Eating together and being together is the holiday. And most importantly, it does not have to be on the actual holiday. I absolutely prefer celebrating on the actual day, but life happens. Our families grow. With that growth there can be pressure to be with each family of the day. It is more important to share the moment, the memories and the meal together when everyone is relaxed and present.
As the nation prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving 2024, take time to stop, smell the air and feel the love. Enjoy the food prepared with love and listen to the family stories. One day it will be your job to share the stories. Realize your family table does not have to resemble the Hallmark movies. That's too much work and stress. It is your family's table filled with their unique love.
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