22/11/2022
THANKSGIVING
I now travel back to my Twelfth year of my life. The year was 1952. Thanksgiving was not promoted as it is today. Visit the mall, Michael's, Wal-Mart, JoAnne's, Lowe's, Home Depot....as I type this on November 22, Christmas Trees and decor are now on display (as they were in October)....note Home Depot and Lowe's as but two examples.
People simply do not 'celebrate' Thanksgiving by way of costumes or 'gifts'. One does not find a 48' 'Turkey' in their front yard sitting over a fan to keep it aloft. The gift that day is one of family, loved ones and friends and...Yes! Food! The likes of which is seldom in the offering during other times of the year. Wait! Christmas does come very close, but it very seldom meets nor surpasses that of your last Thanksgiving.
How many 'American Traditions' might we have left? It seems we're losing some, and many seem to have been 'watered-down' just a bit. May Day ...where did it go? Remember the May Pole? There are eleven 'Official Holidays' observed as of 2017 and 85 recognized US 'Holidays' in total. Most of us find reason to celebrate only about 19 holidays, about 5% of the total. Have we added more? Maybe, a Thanksgiving Day Football game between some Local Football Teams?
Might I name those nineteen 'big' ones? (Well...15 of the 19) Here goes.... New Years Eve and Day, Christmas Eve and Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Easter, Valentines Day, Mothers & Fathers Day, Halloween Night, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day and coming right up, Thanksgiving Day. And there's Rosh Hashanah, Patriot Day, Peace day and many, many more. Yes, there are others that are of great value to our nations many Religions, We use some other nations 'special' days...Mexico's Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to drink Beer and Tequila. But, I have digressed.
Yes....Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims celebrated a First Thanksgiving in October 1621, and it lasted three days. It was to celebrate the past year...not the forthcoming one. The USA Started celebrating it off and on in 1789 and today, only the USA and Canada observe it. As that day approaches, allow me to address that one fine Holiday. Food...food and Family and lots of both is what it seems to be all about.
The menu varies, but some if not most will feature: Turkey, (With white feathers, 'cause the black ones leave black holes where the feathers were yanked.) Ham, Cranberry Sauce in many forms, Dressing in many forms, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, Apple Pie, Rhubarb Pie, (sometimes with Strawberries in it). Deviled Eggs, Sweet pickles, Spring Onions, Black Olives, String Bean casserole, Sweet Bean Salad, Iced Tea, Hot Coffee, maybe Ice Cream too! Wine is always welcome! Want Red or White. I would hope, that the feast began only after a Prayer usually said by 'The Man of the House' around the table as each and everyone in attendance joined hands to share in same with a resounding "Amen" at its closure. Especially if Grandma & Granddaddy were in attendance. I grew a bit bored when two or three Relatives gave their own "Thank you rendition." OMG! Let's just EAT!
There was always a 'Children's Table' made available for the Little Ones. Maybe a Card Table or the Breakfast Table. Yes, in spite of all that is...there will be some whining, some discontent, maybe some over consumption of 'beverages' of one's choice. 'Uncle Bill" (insert a name here if you had one too) would find it necessary to (once again) apologize for his 'over indulgence' of the 'neutral grain spirits'.
Leftovers would be shared in take-home packages (we didn't have foil wrap....waxed paper filled the bill) while the hosting house retained much to be 'recycled' during the coming days. Turkey sandwiches, Turkey Hash, Turkey Stew, Turkey Strata, Turkey Casserole, Turkey Tetrazzini, more Turkey Sandwiches and finally...well, you might add your own 'concoction' here.
Well, as I recall all the Moms, Sisters, Aunts, Wives, Grandmas'...virtually every able Female was saddled with the task of cleaning everything up! Unlike 1952, this day.....all the 'Guys' might to the 'TV Room' involved in their favorite Thanksgiving Day Football Game.
Dear reader...we, as a Nation, as a Family, as individuals are being blessed with good friends in addition to the abundance of the 'groceries' made available for our choosing and consumption, should truly express our "Thanks" for far more than what I have brought to you in print. After all the years that have passed and the many who were once 'with' me, but no longer so. I now find it a 'feel good' moment to say "Thanks" for allowing me to remain among the living. It is time to reach-out to those who away serving in our Military and Loved Family members sharing the meal elsewhere. Please....allow the troubles of the day to be gone, as we the True Loving People might say....'I Love You America'!
Lastly: Might you find good reason to give thanks to the Person, the Spirit or Supreme Being of your choice? With that said and in closing, might you add a comment of what your experiences, the menu you shared, your thoughts? Thanks for 'Giving'! As in Thanks – Giving may God Bless you all to no end. ©Lanny Fuettere
