Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving: Memories Flood my Heart

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you are tucked in nice and cozy somewhere, enjoying a special time with family and friends today. Memories flood my heart and mind this time of year and I can't help but reflect back. In America, this is the best holiday ever.

My memories grow and change with each passing year. Here are some of my favorites:

Sharing a Thanksgiving meal with international students, those that Vince and I met at the university in our jobs. How I loved the surprise on their faces and the gratefulness they always expressed. Harue and Akino from Japan; Federico, Corine, Pablo and Jose Juan, from Uruguay; Jose Angel and Daniela from Mexico; and many, many more who wandered in to share our table. I'm afraid I do not remember all your names. 

A snowy Thanksgiving morning. Vince was on the road, driving to Spokane to pick up our son. He had flown in from Oregon, where he had taken his first job after graduating from college. He was so excited to be home again. I filled the house with praise-filled music and scrumptious scents that wafted from the oven as the turkey roasted, pies baked, and pots boiled on the stove. How I cherish that memory. 

There is my first Thanksgiving meal as a newlywed in Biloxi, Mississippi. Not bad, as I recall, but no matter. We were thankful, oh so thankful to be alive. Vince and I had survived Hurricane Camille in August. The storm had killed over a 100 in our area alone.

So many more memories. Too many to count, I'm afraid. There are those of my childhood, when relatives gathered from all over the Tacoma area. The women and girls crowded in Mom's tiny kitchen to make a meal for ten or more. How did we ever do it, Mom? Your meals were pure perfection. 

And still, the tradition continues. With family far and wide, we will spend it with Vince's sister and husband this year. My apple pie is already in the oven baking. Sweet potatoes are boiling in a pot on the stove for the candied sweet potatoes, the family likes. 

Blessings to all of you, and if you are alone this holiday, my heart goes out to you in friendship. Huge hug to you! This is one time I would hate to be alone. God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving!!

14 comments:

  1. Beautiful memories from Thanksgivings past. Some of those resonate with me of similar holidays spent. May the joy of gratitude and the love of family & friends fill your heart. God bless!

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    1. Thank you! I wish you the same. A blessed holiday with those you love and a thankful heart that grows throughout the year.

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  2. These are beautiful memories that would be great in a scrapbook that you can hand down. My favourite is Christmas and, just the other day, I came across something I asked my mom to write down-her 10 fondest Christmas memories. I am glad I have this since she wrote this when I already knew her memory was failing.

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    1. My mom has been handwriting her memories for some time now (unfortunately, she doesn't trust her computer). Really like your idea of recording Christmas memories. I might ask her to do the same--and for other holidays. Thanks, Birgit!

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  3. Hope your Thanksgiving was great, I shall be alone at Christmas but will be working on my new book.
    Enjoy your week-end.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Hi Yvonne. A new book....how exciting! I'm working on one too. We'll have to compare our progress. I wish you the very best of success. Blessings too this holiday and Christmas.

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  4. Really gorgeous memories.. thanks for sharing. Hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving.

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  5. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, Sharon! :)

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  6. Aw, so many lovely memories. Happy belated Thanksgiving! :)

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You could call me an eternal optimist, but I'm really just a dreamer. l believe in dream fulfillment, because 'sometimes' dreams come true. This is a blog about my journey as a writer and things that inspire and motivate me.