She would begin baking pies and making casseroles the night before Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day, the turkey, ham, and several side dishes culminated into an aroma that I will never forget. The only thing that has changed in my 72 Thanksgivings is the one preparing the feast. For me, my Mother was that first “she.” As a kid, I would wake up in a house filled with delicious smells. Suddenly, I had a hungry belly. Back then, I did not do anything except show up for the meal. Mom hummed as she worked. She would glow as she served the family she loved. I will never forget her song or her glow. We were so happy together.
My wife, Dottie, joined my Mother for a few years preparing the holiday feast. Then, Mom went home to be with the Lord and was no longer front and center to help with our Thanksgiving buffet.
Dottie took up the mantle of preparation. Our daughters woke up to a house filled with delicious smells and a hungry belly. Dottie was less shy about putting me to work, and I was good at following her directions. Dottie would often play and sing Christmas songs as she prepared our Thanksgiving meal. She glowed as she served our little family, and we all enjoyed her music as she prepared our meal.
My little girls have grown up, and Dottie and I have been at their homes and enjoyed the Thanksgiving feasts that they have prepared. They have a song as they work too. It is incredible to see my daughters carry on our traditions.
Was this year going to be different? I thought everyone had to work. It looked like we would end up eating Chinese food at a local restaurant. My anticipation plummetted.
Today, I listened as Dottie and our daughter, Leona, spoke on the phone. Leona was preparing a Thanksgiving feast in Florida for a large crowd that she plans on sharing in her home on Thanksgiving. I have heard her song as she prepares. I smiled as they talked, and I could almost smell the sweet aroma of her kitchen.
I am excited about Thursday because my daughter, Lynnette, and granddaughter Lucy are preparing our Thanksgiving feast. I’m excited about smelling and eating a great Thanksgiving meal. Today, Neil Burns, a great Christian friend, continued a tradition started by his lovely wife, Sue. He prepared a sweet-potato casserole for our Thanksgiving meal. I guess the glow is on my face as I anticipate a great meal with people I love so much.