What are we having this Thanksgiving?
Backstory
The turkey was done. It sat in the middle of my giant kitchen table surrounded by cranberry salad, sweet potatoes, and other companions to the American holiday. The day did not feel like a holiday. Our family was to congregate in a matter of minutes and, although I had gone through all of the motions, I was not in a holiday mood.Thanksgivings past were centered around my Aunt Marjorie, our matriarch. This was her favorite holiday. Her recent death leaving holes in our hearts. Subtracting a painful divorce of an uncle and a missing cousin to our small family meant that our numbers in recent years had dwindled. My children wouldn't know the hustle-bustle of a big holiday gathering.
But this is not why I was feeling so lackluster. The day felt normal. And not in a good way. Through my uncle's divorce and my aunt's death we had become what onlookers would dub "a close family." It started off merely by necessity. At the time of his parent's divorce my cousin was a teenage boy. And he was hungry. And I love to cook. My brother and his then-fiancée joined us for dinner. They even brought a dish. My uncle, still reeling from divorce, hadn't planned anything for dinner and stopped by a store to get the bread. My parents couldn't be left out, so they came as well. When dinner was done we decided to do it again the next week, on Thursday.Some friends added on. And another couple with no family of their own began to come. And a single friend or two...
And it continued. Every Thursday. We have dinner together as if we are celebrating something. My small dwindling family unit grew until there are right around twenty of us every week.
And now it felt normal. Like nothing special. Thanksgiving had become just another Thursday.
It wasn't until I started bumping into people in my kitchen minutes later that it hit me: Thanksgiving did not become just another Thursday, Thursdays became Thanksgivings. The hustle-bustle that I wanted happened every week. Thursday's became what holidays should be: a time spent surrounded by those that you love and who love you back. We just don't have turkey every Thanksgiving.
by Believe in Six-Word Memoirs on Jul 28, 2012 | 
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Comments
Contemplative says,
How beautifully written, the backstory and meaning of your memoir. Grateful that though the original number of members dwindled, very similar to my own nuclear family, through persistence and having an open home and heart, thanks presented itself cloaked in those additions to the celebration. No, it's not just turkey on Thanksgiving...it's company, comraderie, and compassion. Just wonderful! THANKYOU for sharing this with the community!canadafreeze says,
What a lovely backstory. Thank you for sharing.AQScott says,
What a lovely weekly tradition...you ARE celebrating something...life!maryjane31 says,
This gave me a wonderful idea. I, too,felt the family was dwindling as most of my close relatives are far away. But I think I will ask my lovely new neighbor "Pat" who recently bought the house next door. We are friendly but she is alone and I don't ask questions of others. I am going to invite her over for dinner on Thanksgiving! If she has other plans with family than I will invite her for desert after. Believe you gave me a great idea. Your story is beautiful and I really enjoyed it. Thanksjl333 says,
Fantastic backstory! Happy weekly tradition to you!Bevvie says,
I too would like to thank you for giving us this wonderful story!JAD says,
Thanksgiving is being grateful. I'm grateful that you shared your story.notjustagirlintheworld says,
I have heard tell of this event (even know some one who was a surprise guest:D) 100% with JAD this is walking the walk of gratitude which can only enrich you and those around you -- as anyone who has been lucky enough to receive a Believe hat knows. You are an inspiration to be emulatedBanjoDan says,
A true family in action, thanks for sharing!ctgoods2 says,
Thanks for sharing this - one of the best stories I've read in quite a long time.MotorCityMich says,
Just lovely and... what's that... there's a little something caught in my eye? *sniff* Thank you for this story.Wench says,
Ok, I teared up reading this. This is beautiful. I love it. Growing up, my parents were always 'adopting strays'. We had all of the odd people from church and the neighborhood over for every holiday. I resented it for a long time, because some of those people were made fun of by kids my age. But when I got a little older, I began to talk with them and try to understand why my parents kept inviting them over. And now, some of my favorite people are odd-balls. I'm looking forward to seeing them again, this Thursday. Thank you for sharing such a great story!Believe says,
Thank you everyone for such kind words. This is probably one of my favorite things I've written. When cooking for twenty becomes a bit too much on an average weekday I quickly think back to this as a reminder to myself of how very blessed I am with such a crazy tradition.KharisJo says,
we don't have Thanksgiving in Oz and I feel like I just dropped in on a description of what it's all about - think Aunt Marjorie would be very proud of her loving and giving niece. Thank you for sharing and congrats on feature :)lovelylizard says,
Oh, I love this story. It's so very heartwarming, honest and lovely. Traditions are what holds families together and families become whoever we hold dear. Thank you for sharing.Loon says,
great slice of lifeStaraj says,
I'll echo what everyone has already written. That's a poignant story, Believe. I might add that your Thursdays with family and friends would make a great "recipe" for the Palestinians and Israelis – as well as all other peoples in conflict. Let the leaders – including rank and file representatives – lay down their rifles and pick up knives, spoons, and forks to routinely gather around a big table and share some good food in the grand tradition of a potluck. No pressure to talk about anything in particular. Indeed, probably best NOT to talk about the conflict, initially. Just observe good table manners and see what happens as the "pots of fortune" are sampled.Food should certainly never be a bargaining chip. But it can be a powerful intermediator if given chances. Routine chances.
L2L3 says,
Been there. Done that. Repeat offender. I so wanna be your neighbor;-Doopsalittle says,
Love your story - feels like I'm there.Kudos
favepeep says,
Great memoir. Thanks for sharing.