Thanksgiving

This year seems a little different and kind of bittersweet for some going into the Thanksgiving holiday. The recent pandemic has forced families apart during this special time of year. That brings me to remembering how we would spend traditional Thanksgivings, sans pandemic, and sans CDC Guidelines of social distancing.

The biggest part of Thanksgiving, other than family of course, is most definitely the food. The turkey, whether it be baked or deep fried. The homemade slick dumplings that momma makes, that are so delicious. The yummy mac and cheese, that must always have sugar. The stuffing, which I prefer with oysters, but some prefer it without. The green bean casserole with the crunchy onions, which I have just recently come to like. I never really had the taste for it, now broccoli casserole is a whole different story. The sweet potato casserole, which I make with pineapple and marshmallows usually, it brings a decadence to the sweet potatoes that just can't be beat! I think the one thing we all fight over the most are momma's homemade sweet potato biscuits because they are just down right delicious. Besides who doesn't want left over biscuits that you can just grab any time of day that are awesome! The list is endless at our family Thanksgiving, we have all the above plus cranberry sauce, usually mashed potatoes and gravy, and sometimes baked corn. All of this yumminess tucked into one meal and we haven't even scratched the surface of dessert. Oh my. My oldest sister usually makes her famous apple pie with the beautiful designs in the crust, momma usually has pumpkin and sweet potato, love the Thanksgiving classics. I usually try to bring something different if I bring a dessert just so it's not the same thing every single year. One year ya'll I tried to make rice pudding, I think I was like 23 or somewhere around there are ya'll wanna talk about a disaster, oh my goodness. Granted now it is the family joke every year but my cooking and baking skills have improved tremendously.

Now as for family, my family is down right huge. We have 5 daughters, a whole lotta grandkids, aunts, uncles, cousins, significant others, momma, her husband, and just seems like everyone and their brother for Thanksgiving dinner, but you know what I wouldn't have it any other way because it's family. Some are family from far away, some are not, and most are ones we only get to see a few times a year. So every year I look around and take in the scene as everyone fills up their plates, and sits down to have conversations with the person next to and across from them and realize how blessed and lucky that I am to have this family.

My oldest sister usually tries to bring outdoor activities for the kids to do to keep them occupied so that the grown ups can have some time together. Besides those activities they usually play hide and go seek outside which is always fun to watch. You see the little ones running around trying to team up and find the older ones and vice versa. Sometimes the younger ones will sit inside and play with their toys they each brought in their little backpacks, pretending together and just enjoying playing with their cousin.

Sitting here thinking about all the Thanksgivings spent like this reminds me of how important family is and how important traditions are. If you can gather with family safely this year do so. You never know what tomorrow brings. However, if you have to be apart at least video call if you are able, so that they can see the faces of their loved ones on a holiday that is meant for family and thankfulness. I hope sharing my family memories will spark memories in some of you in the upcoming holiday and that everyone will stay safe and be thankful that those in your life. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to all of yours!