Happy Thanksgiving
Thoughts on family traditions.
Happy Thanksgiving!
In a few minutes I’ll be putting the turkey in the oven. I’ve had two legs of lamb marinating overnight in my special mixture of red wine, teriyaki, Worcestershire, and assorted herbs and spices. This afternoon various family members will be showing up with assorted side dishes, booze, etc.
This marks a tradition started thirty years ago, when Helen and I first moved in together. We hosted Thanksgiving for both of our families, and we’ve done it every year since except for a brief Covid-related hiatus. It works out well for me because I get a lot of glory for cooking the turkey and the lamb, but honestly preparing all the sides is more work. But since it gets parceled out that’s not too hard for anyone.
Every year Helen takes a picture of me with the turkey (or sometimes the lamb), which she prints out and keeps in a little album. Here are a couple snagged at random from Facebook memories, from 2009 and 2018:
The quality of digital photography has certainly improved over that time!
Last year we had over 25 people. This year will be the first where the attendance number has shrunk. Many of the younger generation have formed families of their own, and are celebrating with in-laws; one is off with the Army and couldn’t get leave, and so on. There’s a whole generation now that grew up with this event happening every year; they have lives of their own now, and for them it’s kind of a background thing that they probably take for granted.
And so do we, in a way, but I try not to. Even though it’s once a year, it’s really helped to knit together not only my family and Helen’s but all the various strands of our rather large extended family. I don’t know how much longer we’ll keep it up – I considered making the 25th one the last, but met massive resistance – and I’d like to see another generation raised in it if possible. We’ll see.
But family traditions are important, and this is a nice one. I hope all of you are having a good Thanksgiving as well, with your own traditions.
Each family is defined in part by their traditions. One of our odd ones is Sunday hamburger and French Fries with my two unmarried sons attending. We typically spend over an hour afterwards just catching up with each other and solving the world's problems. Thus we are thankful that we can be a part of their unfolding lives as we and they move through time. Thanks be to God for His rich Providence, Protection and steadfast Love. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Glenn, and thanks for all you do! You are a blessing to so many in so many ways! Our family gathering will be on Saturday this year. Gathering with close friends today, and with more friends tomorrow - very likely an acoustic jam session will break out!! God's rich blessings to all!