Thanksgiving memories Revisited

THANKSGIVING, LET’S KEEP IT

By

Gerry Niskern

Everyone knows the “Grinch” stole Christmas, but I would like to know who made off with Thanksgiving. You remember Thanksgiving, the American holiday of feasting, fun and reflecting on our blessings?
Lately, I’ve been hearing many younger couples saying things like, “It’s too much trouble, who needs it, or I’m not getting stuck in the kitchen on my day off.”
I’ll admit just thinking about turkey and all the trimmings for eight or ten extra people can be overwhelming. Look at it this way. It could be worse. At the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving, Gov. Bradford invited Chief Massasoit to share their feast. The chief brought ninety men with him and they stayed and celebrated for three days.
Our forefathers started the tradition of sharing food and games with family and friends on the first Thanksgiving, and it’s up to all of us to keep and cherish those family customs.
Traditions, the bonding material of families are held firm by repetition year after year. The special holiday ceremonies are woven into the fabric of a family, stability of a community and the strength of a nation.
For those of a generation who can’t see the point of preparing the annual feast of gratitude, I promise you the investment of precious time and borrowed energy will set in motion a chain reaction of harmony for years to come.
When I slip that bird into the oven this year, the first rays of a pink and silver dawn will be glowing behind the mountain. When we return from breakfast, the aroma of turkey roasting will serenade us up the steps. Later, pungent notes of onion and sage from cornbread stuffing will mingle and blend. Soon the symphony will build to a crescendo with the yeasty tones of homemade rolls.
The lilting giggles of our granddaughter being teased by male cousins will join the tinkle of ice as she fills the glasses.
The new groom and his bride will arrive late. She’ll bring her famous tofu casserole. The soft murmur of women’s voices will blend with the deep male tones as we join hands and give thanks…well, maybe not for the tofu casserole.
Dessert will be the teenage grandson’s mouth-watering apple pie.
During the rest of the day, some will hike up the mountain behind the house. The clickity-clack of Ping-Pong balls will be heard downstairs and a football game will be on for the die-hard sports fans.
Later, we’ll set up the board for our annual Win, Lose or Draw game tournament. The teams range in age from five to eighty-five. Aunt Elsies’ giant size canister of golden homemade caramel corn will disappear as the contest warms up. The guys’ team will lie, cheat and make all kinds of excuses. The girls’ team will win.
A few hardy souls will head for the kitchen for another plate of turkey and dressing. The aroma of a fresh pot of coffee will energize others to finish the pie.
Thanksgiving Day is more than just a day I might spend extra time in the kitchen. It is a celebration of life with a group of people more precious than life itself.
Send dad out to one of the local delis for a roasted turkey if you don’t like to cook. Let someone bring the rolls or a pie or two. Use paper plates. Serve buffet style in from the kitchen counter. Put away the “solitary” Nintendo games and play something everyone, young and old can share together.
That’s what memories are made of. In today’s world, we need those bonds more than ever before.