However, I really LOVE taking time to be thankful, and I feel like the best time
to do that is Thanksgiving (and I’m not just saying that because I’m a turkey
farmer)! My family has loved Thanksgiving from before we even began raising
the proverbial “bird of honor.”
to do that is Thanksgiving (and I’m not just saying that because I’m a turkey
farmer)! My family has loved Thanksgiving from before we even began raising
the proverbial “bird of honor.”
Nigel Hamilton said, “Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness and gratitude.”
Thanksgiving has been a rich tradition in my mom’s family her entire life.
Her mom hosted a traditional Thanksgiving feast most of her adult married
life, then the torch was passed to my aunt who hosted an amazing feast for
my mom’s side of the family for many, many years. It was at some point
after my mom’s parents (my grandparents) had both passed away that my
parents took on the tradition of hosting the Thanksgiving holiday gathering.
I don’t have many memories of the Thanksgivings before the ones hosted
by my parents, but when I hear my relatives talk with the fondness of the
tradition and the memories of the holidays past, it’s almost like I was there.
I can see through a slightly foggy lens the smiles and almost hear the muffled
laugher; I can almost smell the aroma of the turkey cooking. I can actually
feel their time of togetherness and gratitude in my heart. I’m thankful for the
traditions that were laid before me.
Thanksgiving has been a rich tradition in my mom’s family her entire life.
Her mom hosted a traditional Thanksgiving feast most of her adult married
life, then the torch was passed to my aunt who hosted an amazing feast for
my mom’s side of the family for many, many years. It was at some point
after my mom’s parents (my grandparents) had both passed away that my
parents took on the tradition of hosting the Thanksgiving holiday gathering.
I don’t have many memories of the Thanksgivings before the ones hosted
by my parents, but when I hear my relatives talk with the fondness of the
tradition and the memories of the holidays past, it’s almost like I was there.
I can see through a slightly foggy lens the smiles and almost hear the muffled
laugher; I can almost smell the aroma of the turkey cooking. I can actually
feel their time of togetherness and gratitude in my heart. I’m thankful for the
traditions that were laid before me.
“Be present in all thing and thankful for all things” – Maya Angelou. In my
memories, it’s the happiness I see in my mom’s heart as she begins
preparations for the big feast.Yes, for sure it’s a lot of work to host 35
people for dinner. I’m going to be honest and tell you, our house gets dusted
so well on the week before Thanksgiving; every square inch of the floor gets
vacuumed and windows and light fixtures get washed, twice. There are not
always my favorite tasks, and it’s fair to say my mom is a little drill sergeant-ish.
The shopping gets done, the groceries are carried in and the meal is prepped.
Although the tasks are many, I am so grateful to have this opportunity and
that I can be present and in the moment to help prepare for all the things that
continue to make our tradition (and I don’t mind drill sergeant mom that much).
memories, it’s the happiness I see in my mom’s heart as she begins
preparations for the big feast.Yes, for sure it’s a lot of work to host 35
people for dinner. I’m going to be honest and tell you, our house gets dusted
so well on the week before Thanksgiving; every square inch of the floor gets
vacuumed and windows and light fixtures get washed, twice. There are not
always my favorite tasks, and it’s fair to say my mom is a little drill sergeant-ish.
The shopping gets done, the groceries are carried in and the meal is prepped.
Although the tasks are many, I am so grateful to have this opportunity and
that I can be present and in the moment to help prepare for all the things that
continue to make our tradition (and I don’t mind drill sergeant mom that much).
Melody Beattie Said, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.” So after all the
cleaning and shopping is done, then comes the preparing, cooking and setup.
At my house, it’s a tradition to help prep the food on Wednesday night. My
siblings and I chop vegetables for stuffing, slice apples for pie and take out the
buns to rise. We wipe down the good silverware ,and we get the fancy water
glasses out of the high cupboards. We set out tables and chairs, and we
watch my mom iron tablecloths (she doesn’t trust us to iron). We are lucky
to have a life full of learning how to host a family tradition. My siblings and
I don’t take these life lessons for granted, even if we argue over who has to
carry up all the folding chairs.
cleaning and shopping is done, then comes the preparing, cooking and setup.
At my house, it’s a tradition to help prep the food on Wednesday night. My
siblings and I chop vegetables for stuffing, slice apples for pie and take out the
buns to rise. We wipe down the good silverware ,and we get the fancy water
glasses out of the high cupboards. We set out tables and chairs, and we
watch my mom iron tablecloths (she doesn’t trust us to iron). We are lucky
to have a life full of learning how to host a family tradition. My siblings and
I don’t take these life lessons for granted, even if we argue over who has to
carry up all the folding chairs.
“I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage”- Erma Bombeck.
Me too, Erma, me too. I can’t even tell you how delicious our meal is.
I know I am really, really blessed to have all of these traditions.
I know everyone may celebrate differently, and some families may enjoy
a vegetarian meal, a pizza supper or a grilled steak on Thanksgiving.
But that’s the key; it’s not what you eat, it’s who you are with and what you
remember to be thankful for. At my house, I am blessed because my mom
knows the secret to making AMAZING gravy. I hope someday I will be able
to duplicate her recipe, and I’m thankful I get to be by her side each year
and taste test her “best gravy yet.” Oh, and our turkey is pretty amazing too!
Me too, Erma, me too. I can’t even tell you how delicious our meal is.
I know I am really, really blessed to have all of these traditions.
I know everyone may celebrate differently, and some families may enjoy
a vegetarian meal, a pizza supper or a grilled steak on Thanksgiving.
But that’s the key; it’s not what you eat, it’s who you are with and what you
remember to be thankful for. At my house, I am blessed because my mom
knows the secret to making AMAZING gravy. I hope someday I will be able
to duplicate her recipe, and I’m thankful I get to be by her side each year
and taste test her “best gravy yet.” Oh, and our turkey is pretty amazing too!
“Thanksgiving day is a jewel, to set in hearts of honest men; but be careful that
you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.” – E.P. Powell. Don’t get
caught up in the hype of big three: Food, Football and Family. Don’t let the
gravy, pigskin or baby cousins deter you or hold you back from taking time to
be thankful or showing your gratitude. And don’t just do it in one day. Make it
a season of your life - show gratitude daily!
you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.” – E.P. Powell. Don’t get
caught up in the hype of big three: Food, Football and Family. Don’t let the
gravy, pigskin or baby cousins deter you or hold you back from taking time to
be thankful or showing your gratitude. And don’t just do it in one day. Make it
a season of your life - show gratitude daily!
And so, Thanksgiving…What a tremendous holiday, so many things, how do
we know what to be thankful for? I’ll close with the words of Charlie Brown:
“What if today, we were grateful for everything?” Friends, as I wish you a very
Happy Thanksgiving, I challenge you to take a minute. A minute to show
others your gratitude. A minute to tell someone you’re thankful for their
friendship. A minute to pay your blessings forward. A minute to be grateful
for everything.
we know what to be thankful for? I’ll close with the words of Charlie Brown:
“What if today, we were grateful for everything?” Friends, as I wish you a very
Happy Thanksgiving, I challenge you to take a minute. A minute to show
others your gratitude. A minute to tell someone you’re thankful for their
friendship. A minute to pay your blessings forward. A minute to be grateful
for everything.
Minnesota FFA, I am grateful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Stationed beneath the Rising Sun,
Grace Taylor
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