Thanksgiving

Gerry Niskern

Looking back over all the years of cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my family, I would have to say the hardest part was not mastering the fine art of making smooth gravy, fluffy potatoes or fragrant yeast rolls; the most difficult chore was finding my measuring spoons.

You see, the cluster of shiny metal spoons on a ring is always wherever the last visiting baby in the family dropped them…hopefully in the toy box. Never mind the exact measurements of cinnamon and cloves for the pumpkin pie, the clickity-clack of the spoons makes the neatest noise.

Of course, some cooks consider the turkey gravy the most tedious task of Thanksgiving dinner. And it would be, without my trusty gravy maker; that wonderful coiled metal utensil that springs back to the baby’s delight when pushed down. Then again, it’s great for chomping down on the cold metal with swollen teething gums.

As time went by, the pot lids made great cymbals for the toddler kitchen band accompanying the drumbeat of the wooden spoon on the bottom of the turkey roaster.

When families in the United States gather this year as they do in many other countries for annual harvest festivals, some members will be missing due to war, divorce, quarrels, never to return; but we need to carry on family customs as usual. When we reinforce family traditions we strengthen our community and our nation.

Our nation isn’t like it was years ago, or even six months ago. Years from now, when our kids and grandkids look back on this Thanksgiving, they probably will remember hearing the grownups asking “Will life in America ever be the same?”

But if we do our job right those memories will be crowded out by the smell of the bird, the taste of sweet potatoes and the teasing about whether the guys or gals team will  win the favorite family game.

And too, it’s always more fun when there is a baby in the family who is old enough for its first taste of potatoes and gravy and maybe a bite of pumpkin pie.

By now, the turkey is ordered, the grocery shopping is done and the seating is arranged. Only the pies are left to be baked.

Now, where are those measuring spoons?