Not only in the literal sense, but figuratively too.
Nostalgia has been settling in a lot recently. I suppose when things are not normal for one individual person, let alone society, looking back upon better times only seems fitting, but maybe, that is just me.
When I was a kid, I always thought of Thanksgiving as the beginning of the holidays, I’d get a couple of days off from school and got to visit with some relatives, or they would visit with us. I’d get to see the cousins and my grandparents and aunt and uncles, it was nice. It was cold too. This was the eighties, and as I got older, I became more useful in the Black Friday DoorBuster strategy. As I recall, most of those deals would be on clothes that never made it to the next school year or a crockpot that never saw the light of day in the nineties. But that weekend was family. At some point in the weekend, we would be able to go right around at night and look at Christmas lights. I always looked forward to it year in and year out.
By the time I got in middle and high school, things were definitely changing. Friends were more involved in the weekend activities, and eventually having to work on Black Friday and most of the weekend came into the picture. The faces were all the same, just tad bit older and wiser. Well, sometimes not, as people come and go in and out of our lives. The older siblings eventually would leave, and typically show up as a surprise guest on occasion when their military obligations allowed. It was nice.
After high school, things began to change. Family visits happened less often, work became a higher priority, and traditions began to fade. By the late nineties, the weather was also noticeably warmer. Friends were typically tied up with family or work obligations. I was also a little late leaving the nest. I decided to go to college instead of the military (I’ve never been good at following orders) so I never got to do the surprise visit thing. I stayed at home, worked and went to classes. I overheard a conversation or two about when I was going to move out. But I had a good thing going and later on was paying a little rent and mostly relied on eating out day to day. All that would change soon enough.
One minute, I’m on track finishing school and getting out of my parents hair, the next I am married, an expected father, under anothers’ roof, yet still working and even closer to graduating college. One of those years out of that four year run was one of the first years I didn’t spend any time at my parents. Other than a phone call, that was it.
When life had changed (the expected father portion fell victim to prenatal tragedy) and I was back on the bachelor stand, for several years Thanksgiving turned into just another, and unseasonably warm day.
Fewer visits to and from family happened. With the exception of a couple of Black Fridays, I never really hung out with friends. The only real highlight was a day off of work.
Then something happened. After a decade of mediocrity, new traditions had formed. My oldest brother and his family were able to accommodate a larger family gathering it his place became the new go to spot. By this time I had already moved from Macon, and anything was better than taking a trip to Macon, it seemed. Visiting the parents (and Nu -Way) were typically the only reasons to go.
The year before dad passed away, Thanksgiving, for me had officially returned. I started some of my own traditions, including the annual viewing of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” I was also named Grand Master of Mashed Potatoes on Thanksgiving, a title I do not foresee giving away any time soon. I’ve also been the arranger of the pre dinner Thanksgiving photograph.
I am thankful for Thanksgiving again. I get to see friends and family, and I am thankful they get to see me.
But then this year happened. This is most likely my mom’s last Thanksgiving with us. There have been concerns on wellness. I never thought I would have to pass a test to feel comfortable about visiting with family for Thanksgiving. We’re all good.
But for now, there is a little work to be done, a movie to watch and the potatoes are standing by for preparation.
