Each and everyone of us has a Thanksgiving memory that conjures up feelings of comfort and joy. When I think back on mine, it’s a Thanksgiving in Montana. My family set out from Washington state and we had to go over a few passes to get there. I remember people pulling over on Snoqualmie Pass to put on their snow chains in order to get over the pass and cross with safety. I remember seeing police vehicles with their lights flashing, and flashlights waving cars over. My dad had angels traveling with him, so we just drove on through the chaos passing all the stranded cars and flying over the pass in record time, leaving all the weary traveler’s behind. We made it to Great Falls on Thanksgiving day and it was wonderful! My aunt Louise was the host to the many relatives that came, everyone showing up had some wonderful treat to share and a spirited story or two to fill the festive air. This was also the holiday year that I learned you could use a garbage can lid to slide down a snow filled back alley. My cousins took about five garbage cans with lids on, and lined the end of the alley way to make sure that when we went sledding down the alley we were not met by any traffic, a quick fix safety gate I guess you could say. We had an absolute blast for hours on end, even with the Montana cold eating away at our bones. When we all came together for our feast of Thanks there were mounds of turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, homemade duck and stars soup, chicken noodle soup, my grandma’s famous pickles, beautiful jello molds of every color, and best of all, a table on its own filled with delicious pies, cakes, cookies and more! I ate until I was almost as big as the turkey on the table...it was huge by the way! This for me was one of the best Thanksgivings, not because of all the wonderful food, even though it did help my memory to remain solid...but because it is a memory filled with family, some of them have gone home to heaven, and some of them remain to make more memories with...and because it was such a very happy time had by all, so much love danced in the air on wings of laughter. So I say to you all “Happy Thanksgiving” and may you remember a favorite Thanksgiving or may this be the year you find yourself creating a favorite holiday memory. Blessings to you all….
Happy Thanksgiving!