Although Thanksgiving was last week, here is Andrew's post recognizing the historically significant event.
Wow, one of my favorite days of the year, and definitely in my top 5 favorite meals (forced into 1-2 sittings that is).
As with most people, along with the food, the day is not complete without being surrounded by family. I have always felt very close to my family at Thanksgiving which is why it seems astounding that this year was the first time I have spent Thanksgiving with my parents in
17 years.
It was amazing, delicious, comfortable and more than satisfying. My mom's gravy was as good as it ever was, and everything was perfect. All these years I have always felt close to them and especially grateful to them on that day, but it was nice to be able to sit with them, cook with them, relax with them, hug them and just be with them.
Seventeen Years, that was exactly half of my life ago. Which half seems longer, it's hard to say. Back in the day, gas was only $1.47 a gallon. Oh, wait, that's what I paid last night. "Please Hammer, don't hurt 'em," was often said back then. There was talk of recession then, War in Iraq, and President Bush. How things have changed. I don't remember thinking I was halfway to anywhere specific at that point but I was. Halfway to here. I had a lot to be thankful then, I have even more to be thankful for now.
Lets see, for my own benefit where have I been since Thanksgiving of 1991:
1992 Connecticut with Brian and Pam, saw the movie "Singles" in NYC with my Aunt Betsy
1993 Seattle, mission- two dinner appointments, first one much better than the second.
1994 Seattle, dinner at the Jory's. Their oven caught on fire and two fire engines showed up.
1995 Connecticut with Paul before his mission, Nathan's first with Marian.
1996 Connecticut, watched Duke at Madison Square Garden, lost to Indiana.
1997 Connecticut, flew home from Scotland to see the new love of my life for 4 days.
1998 Connecticut, first Thanksgiving married to previously mentioned love, Elizabeth.
1999 Connecticut, Betsy raises the food a notch with the addition of Larry's gourmet touch.
2000 Connecticut, Grandpa and Grandma flew out from CA. Saw "Billy Elliot" and "Unbreakable".
Add Abby
2001 Virginia, large group gathering at Lewises, multiple long tables, great food and friends.
2002 Virginia, dinner at Hougaards with the Bells (and whistles).
Add Isaac
2003 Minnesota, the Dunn's drove through blizzard to eat in our new kitchen, went to see "Elf."
2004 Minnesota, dinner at the Harmers, best stuffing ever.
Add Henry
2005 Minnesota, drove to Elizabeth's cousin, Eric's in-laws in rural Minnesota
2006 In Salt Lake, at the Dunn's--fantastic. My parents were in Denver with my sisters.
Add Peter
2007 San Diego at a beach house with friends the Lewises, Boston Market never tasted so good.
Not bad off the top of my head, eh? Think you could do it?
Who needs a journal? Life is measured by your Thanksgivings. Or at least it should be measured by giving thanks. That is a very nostalgic list of cozy fires and delicious food and wonderful family and friends.
I wonder where we'll be in 17 years. Abigail will be 24 and our youngest will be the age I was at that last Thanksgiving home in '91. I wonder what I am halfway to now, besides 68, will my youngest be joining us after a 17 year drought? I guess I'd better treasure each one.
