This is that time of the year when we think about the loved ones and the holidays that are now just memories. We remember the people, but if you think hard enough, you will also remember certain traditions. And a tradition could actually be something like the turkey platter that only came out on Thanksgiving, or a special bowl used specifically each year for the fruit salad.
Sometimes when I'm shopping in a thrift store, or an antique store, I see an item that takes me back. "Oh, we used to have one of those when I was a little girl." Sometimes the memory reaches out and purchases that certain item; now vintage of course. There are things in my home that I don't need but I want them because they evoke memories of special people or special times in my life. You probably know exactly what I mean. And now we are creating memories for later, or memories for our children and grandchildren.
One special dish/salad we had most every Thanksgiving was one my mother used to make. Green jello, cottage cheese, mayonnaise and pineapple bits. Sometimes with a cherry (maraschino) on top. I still love that stuff!
A very special Thanksgiving happened to be my first one as a young wife. I happened to be pregnant with our first child. We lived in southern California because hubby was in the U.S. Coast Guard. He had just left on a search and rescue training mission. That very day I started having problems with my pregnancy and was told to go to bed and stay there until my next doctor appointment, which was 17 days away. I was not to get up for ANYTHING other than to go potty. And I can't remember if I had to lie on my stomach or back but whichever it was, I had to lie that way for over two weeks. UGH. Anyway, I had to call the Coast Guard to give my husband the news. I didn't know exactly what I was going to do to take care of myself because I couldn't get out of bed to cook, etc. Anyway, long story short, a Coast Guard wife called for me and the CG called me and reassured me that my husband would be home as soon as they could possible get him there. They also called me a couple of times during the wait to make sure I was okay.
This little tale had to be told because it was shortly before Thanksgiving and we had invited his parents and siblings to come to southern California and have dinner with us. They live in northern Oregon and we were in the L.A. area.
My husband cooked the entire dinner that day. Our first Thanksgiving and he even made pies from scratch. That was a very special day indeed. And by the way, I did stay in bed as the doctor ordered and we did have a healthy baby boy in June of the following year.
Do you have a special memory of a Thanksgiving past?
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