Writing about what Thanksgiving used to be like. Since there is a pandemic many of us had to celebrate differently. Memories of what was and may be again. Memories of what was and will never be again because we have lost the loved ones. And if there is space imagining a way forward.
Alone, but not alone.
Three adorable children grace my Thanksgiving memories.
Thanksgiving was a time to cook together. We made a day of it in the kitchen. Everyone had two dishes to prepare that day. We wheeled the television into the kitchen. Entertained by our Thanksgiving classic, "The Goonies." How did it get to be our Thanksgiving choice? I think it was back when we lived in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It must have been on television during the preparations one year and it was perfect. We had so much fun. "Hey you g-u-y-s....." Miles, my youngest, making the "butt rolls"... aptly named because they look like gigantic buttocks. Samantha making the soon-to-be mashed potatoes. Jeremy, now Jeremiah, helping me prepare the turkey and working his magic with beautiful vegetables. Deviled eggs, my favorite, rarely made, as I am the only one who eats them. Shrimp cocktail and raspberry jello, traditional fare at my mother's table, continued here as beloved favorites. Peas and another vegetable, carrots or yams. Stove Top stuffing because we like it better than homemade stuffing. None of us are fond of "wet bread".... Samantha and I working on the pies... Chocolate and pumpkin. In later years, she found the best pumpkin pie recipe and was requested to make that pie for birthdays as well.
After having so much joy in everyone being together to cook, Thanksgiving alone seems daunting. And yet there are so many possibilities, so many ways to fill my kitchen with the joy of connection. I just need to think outside the box about who to invite and be brave about opening my home and expanding my circle in way that is comfortable. As comfortable as possible for someone who is not overly fond of change.