The Smell of Thanksgiving Day

Mmmmm, the aroma of turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing slowly roasting from the crack of dawn. The scent of it really fills me with warmth and fond memories. I find myself vividly remembering all the family gatherings at my Grandparents' home.

The adults cooked and nibbled on all the side dishes for the grand feast they were preparing for the day as they watched football and visited. The children all played flag football in the yard wearing "Turkey Bowl" t-shirts. We crafted spook houses in the evening in Grandma's basement, which involved spinning around in Grandpa's office chair until you almost fell over. I remember looking out my Grandparents back bay window, watching the parachuters land in the fields behind the home as my Grandparents lived on a farm.

This was a genuine Thanksgiving gathering.

My Grandfather always led the dinner in a prayer and we all knew he would get the turkey leg, but the wishbone was always up for grabs. Waiting on it to dry out so we could pull it apart to see who would get their wish was ever so exciting.

Cousins, aunts and uncles, all spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house. All the kids would sleep in sleeping bags in the rec room, staying up late goofing around, playing games and scaring each other with silly ghost stories. Our stomachs were always so full, but that never stopped us from getting up the next morning and doing it all over again with re-heated seconds.

Those were the days. Days that have changed. My Grandparents have all passed away now and we still miss them so, but their memories never fade as we remember all the love they gave us.

The responsibility of Thanksgiving has fallen upon my mother and her siblings, who take turns every year re-creating those memories for their children and grandchildren.

Although I now do a little bit of the cooking, somehow I still sit at the kids table just with a much bigger plate.

Every day is a day to gives thanks; this special day is extra special to be thankful as we gather with our families and friends creating memories to cherish forever.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!