Thanksgiving 2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all who take the time to read my musings on various topics. Today, I focus on the topic of Thanksgiving. This year marks the 78th Thanksgiving in my lifetime. While I remember them all, I know you probably do not believe that, but some memories have faded so far into the depths of my mind that they only resurface in strange dreams after indulging in chili. On the other hand, others remain vividly clear, and I’m delighted to share them with you. So, please continue reading.

My memories of Thanksgiving as a young boy are mostly centered around my father and his meticulous preparation of the turkey. He was very particular about ensuring the turkey reached the proper temperature, basting it regularly and on schedule, and spreading the right amount of butter to achieve the perfect browning and delicious appearance when it came out of the oven. His turkeys were generally delicious, although sometimes they were a bit too late to be ready for dinner.

His special turkey dressing (or stuffing) is the most memorable part of the meal. I couldn’t get enough of it. I’ve tried several times to replicate this dressing, but I always fall a bit short. I guess the missing ingredient is my father’s love.

Happy Thanksgiving, Mom and Dad! Do they have turkey dinners in Heaven?

Several of my Thanksgivings were spent away from home while serving in the U.S. Navy. The mess halls did their best to prepare a feast that would rival the meals back home, but they always fell short. The turkey dressing, made with cornmeal or some fishy substance like oysters, was simply not up to par. And the cranberry sauce? Well, let’s just say the military cooks had a different idea about how to prepare it. They couldn’t seem to grasp the simple concept of opening the can on both ends, sliding the tube of jellied cranberry sauce onto a plate, and slicing it into even portions. It was like they were trying to make cranberry sauce into some sort of soupy concoction that I couldn’t stand.

To all our military personnel serving away from home on this Thanksgiving, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifices. Your dedication and commitment to our country are truly appreciated. May this Thanksgiving be a time of joy, peace, and gratitude for all of us.

I also missed several Thanksgiving dinners when I was scheduled to work as a police officer. I could always count on a plate of food being prepared for me from the family dinner and warmed up when I got home or the next day. While it was acceptable, it wasn’t quite the same as eating a freshly served turkey dinner. I suppose the magic of the meal wasn’t just the food, but also the company of family. Eating a turkey dinner on a paper plate without the family nearby felt incomplete. I guess family was the missing ingredient.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the police officers, firefighters, doctors, and nurses who will miss their family Thanksgiving because they are scheduled to work. Their dedication to keeping us safe and secure on Thanksgiving is truly commendable. May they have a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving, even if they can’t be with their loved ones.

My Thanksgiving will be spent this year, as it has for many years, with my family and extended family. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to be with all of them because our family has grown too large. Each sibling has their own circle of family and extended family, and if we were to try and get everyone together in one place, it would probably be impossible. It would still be fun to try, though. So, I’ll spend Thanksgiving with my wife, some of my children, some of my grandchildren, and two cats. I truly wish I could have all my children and all my grandchildren, but life, time, and distance prevent that from happening. I’ll have to rely on pictures posted on Facebook to stay connected with those I can’t be with on this Thanksgiving Day. But know that all the ones I can’t be with are in my thoughts and in my heart.

In conclusion, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my wife, siblings, and their families. I extend my warmest wishes to all my children, children-in-law, and grandchildren, both those who reside close by and those who are far away. I also want to express my gratitude to all my friends, both those who have recently become part of my life and those who have been friends for what feels like an eternity. Finally, I want to extend my blessings to all those who are no longer physically present with us but whose spirits are still nearby. If, for some reason, you feel excluded from the list mentioned earlier, I want you to know that you are also welcome to join in the celebration and share in the joy of this special day.

Enjoy your day! I’m posting this a day early this week for obvious reasons. Have a wonderful holiday, a great holiday weekend, stay safe, and I’ll be back next Friday if the Good Lord is willing and the creeks don’t rise.