Thursday, November 26, 2020

Memories of Thanksgivings Past by Connie Berry

 


Of all the Thanksgivings I can remember, this one may be the weirdest.


No traveling to visit relatives. No gatherings of friends and family around a bountiful table. This year there will be exactly four of us—my husband, myself, and our two sons. Except for me, all males. Which means Thanksgiving dinner will be over and done with in about twenty minutes.


Why would I spend two days cooking and baking for twenty minutes? I wouldn’t—at least not this year. I’m so not in the mood. Instead, I’ve ordered a complete Thanksgiving dinner to be delivered (hopefully) on my doorstep the day before Thanksgiving. Do I feel guilty? To be honest, a bit. But not that much.


Now to the question that really matters. Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to reflect on our blessings and express our thankfulness. Do we have blessings to be thankful for this year?  


Of course we do. So in spite of trips not taken, conferences cancelled, Covid hair, missed restaurant meals, no time spent with friends over coffee, here is my THANKFUL THANKSGIVING LIST, 2020 style:


·       NO COVID. None of my family members—even extended family of at least 150—have gotten Covid. In fact, although I’ve heard of cases, I don’t actually know anyone personally who’s gotten it—yet, anyway. I know we have a ways to go before vaccines are widely available.

·       ZOOM. This free app has provided a way to keep in touch with people I care about. Okay, I admit I’m a little tired of it at this point, but it’s better than nothing.

·       EMMIE. My new puppy is the sweetest little soul. Having her helps me in so many ways to cope with the pandemic. Even though it means setting the alarm for 2 am to help her make it through the night. Small price to pay in my book.

·       COOKING. Never my favorite activity, but during the pandemic, my husband and I have developed a new routine for the evening meal. We gather in the kitchen and share both the cooking and the puppy romping. Emmie loves her ball, and she’s lightning-quick. We think she’s headed for a career as a goalie.

·       WALKS. Okay, it’s not England, but this year in Ohio we’ve had the most beautiful autumn. Sunshine. Glorious colors. My favorite season has not disappointed.

·       WRITING. If I can’t actually be in the British Isles, I can travel there (virtually) every day as I join Kate Hamilton and Tom Mallory in their small slice of Suffolk. The best part? In my fictional world, there’s no Covid. All the shops and pubs are open for business.

·       ASSURANCE IN UNCERTAINTY. As a child of God, I know my journey and destination are in the hands of a loving Father.

·       MEMORIES. This Thanksgiving may not be my favorite, but I have so many happy (and hilarious) Thanksgiving memories to draw upon:

o   The Thanksgivings I spent as a child at my Danish grandmother’s house, eating her turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie. Food at her house was always the best.

o   The year I followed a new online recipe and stuffed the turkey with lemon halves. Big mistake. Everything (turkey, stuffing, gravy) came out tasting like bitter lemon rind. If I ever find that recipe again, I’m pressing charges.

o   The year I saved the turkey carcass to make soup, put the pot in the extra fridge in the basement, and then forgot about it—for three months. Ended up tossing out not only the lethal contents but also the nice stainless steel soup pot.

o   The year Bob and I spent Thanksgiving alone in a rented trailer in the icy interior of Alaska—playing over and over again the tape my mother made for us at the family Thanksgiving gathering. I can still hear the voice of my Scottish aunt’s elderly father: ’Tis a grand day, a grand day.

o   All the years we celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents. I so miss them.

o   The year relatives traveled to our house for Thanksgiving and one of the teenagers, incensed about something that happened on the drive over, spent the entire day fuming in their van. As the mother of teenagers myself, I could sympathize.

o   The year I was preparing Thanksgiving for a huge crowd—not my gift—and realized I’d forgotten to buy ingredients for the pumpkin pie. I was about to rush off to the grocery store one more time when a friend showed up at my door with a glorious, fully baked, homemade pumpkin pie. A true miracle.

Thanksgiving In The Time of Plague will be a memory, too, one day, and I’ve realized that I can choose how it will be remembered. 


Will I regret what I can’t have or celebrate what I do have? Will I fume over what doesn’t feel right or will I keep a sense of humor? Will I harbor bitterness or will I look for the joy?


I choose joy.

7 comments:

  1. Joy is a far better bed to sleep in than bitterness.

    Happy Thanksgiving.

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Our puppy Louie is an enthusiastic Thanksgiving cooking participant. Stuffing with sausage meat! Apple pie! Sweet potatoes! He hasn't "helped" with the turkey breast.

    Yesterday, all three kids (New Orleans is visiting Houston, and Washington DC) baked sweet potato casseroles, with much discussion about oven temp, baking time, and pix of canine participation.

    We're happy and healthy, so joy all around.

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  3. What a perfect post for Thanksgiving Day.

    Like you, I am choosing to find the joy in the holiday and in 2020. It's all about choice, isn't it.

    Best to all for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

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  4. I so enjoyed this, Connie, especially the part when your friend appeared at the door with the pumpkin pie. A Thanksgiving miracle!
    Happy Thanksgiving Connie and to all WWK!

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  5. Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, I firmly remember that, despite our trials, we have the potential for a safer, healthier, better-fed and happier life than 99% of the humans who have ever existed. And that is something to be thankful for.

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  6. I always love reading your posts Connie. I agree, this year is a doozy. No family to celebrate with, just a Zoom meeting with our kids and grandkids and a ham dinner for Randy and me. It feels so disgraceful! On another note, my dear brother, Jay, is in the hospital with Covid. He was moved to the ICU this morning. We are giving thanks, but mostly praying for him.

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  7. Thanks, Connie, for sharing your perspectives on Thanksgiving this year relative to ones gone before. As the mother of the disgruntled teenager who chose to stay in the car, I chuckle that his children are now going through their own disgruntled moments. It is wonderful that 2020 will be remembered as the first year Emmie added her sparkle to the holidays. The next time we are able to gather as an extended family, we will have gratitude for the blessing of being able to gather without hesitation. Love to the Ohio Berries from the Indiana Berries.

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