Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2021

Thanksgiving is a holiday that, for me, tends to get lost in the haze of time. Having said that, there are a few that stick out in my mind.

The first, without a doubt, is Thanksgiving two years past. We had moved to Ohio and I flew back to Colorado for Thanksgiving. My niece and her family was visiting from Australia, mom was getting a bit more frail and my younger, special needs daughter, was missing me terribly.

We had a pretty good snow storm the day before but Thanksgiving ended up warm and sunny. Much like this year but with less snow! Anyway, I was picking up mom and we were having Thanksgiving dinner on our own since she didn’t want to go to my sister’s house as they were having a bigger celebration at a friends home. We would go to my sister’s later in the day.

We picked Black-eyed Pea for lunch as they were offering a nice Thanksgiving dinner. Mom was in her mid-nineties and used a wheelchair mostly. Let’s say it was an adventure getting her across the snow lake that was the entrance to the restaurant. This was due to all the snow melting from storm we had the day before.

Dinner was good and we really enjoyed ourselves! This was all before Covid so a crowded restaurant wasn’t quite so threatening, especially for someone in their mid nineties.

After lunch, we went for a drive in the mountains. Mom always loved to do that and really loved the scenery. We finally arrived at my sister’s home after what was a beautiful drive. All of us had a great time at my sister’s and I was able to see my niece’s new baby as well as my other niece’s family from down under. A special time of fellowship and food with family. Thanksgiving!

This would be the last time I saw mom as she passed a few months later…

Other Thanksgivings that stick in my mind are from long ago when I would visit my aunt and uncle and cousins for Thanksgiving. I made this a tradition for several years. One of my standout memories of those times was how freaked out my cousins and I were after seeing Halloween in the theater. This was its initial release and, I’ll admit, it was a bit scary!

Still, great times with family!

This Thanksgiving, first and foremost be safe! Second, spend time with the ones you love, no matter how you do it! Finally, remember the good times because, these are the good old days!