Thanksgiving growing up was all about a huge family...more people than logistically fit in Our house, but we fit somehow. There were not a lot of traditions outside of timing the length of time it took for us all to devour our big meal. One year 20 of us were all finished eating a massive feast in 11 minutes flat. How absurd!
Then we moved to Georgia, and suddenly there were just four of us. My own little family and all of my sense of holidays had always involves hoardes of people...with the four of us I always felt lonely. So often Rich had to leave for work every holiday at 3 to work second shift, leaving just the three of us - me and Boo and Lou to spend the day. We started to create our own traditions to give new meaning to our holidays. To give me the comfort of looking forward to 'our things' and not missing the big extended family gatherings of my childhood.
The first tradition involved the movies. It was always so lonely when Rich left for work, so instead of staying home lonely we always went to the movie matinee on thanksgiving and christmas. We looked forward to our movie holidays. We didnt go to the movies often, so it was such a treat.
The next tradition involved the Macy's Day Parade. We watched diligently from the start of the parade to the end when Santa arrived. The girls always looked forward to the arrival of Santa, believing the Macy's Santa to be the real Santa. Then the Macy's parade developped all kinds of food traditions. It became like two thanksgivings - the breakfast meal, then the turkey meal. I call it a breakfast meal, but it doesnt involve many breakfast foods. Mostly it involves snackish things the girls love: orange cinnamon rolls, crab cheese ball and cracker, spin dip and veggies, pigs in a blanket, chips and onion dip, and fruit dipped in chocolate. Strange combination for breakfast, but the grazing on it begins at 9AM and continues through the parade and into the big dog show following. Another tradition.
Callaway Gardens light extravaganza is a newer addition to the routine, replacing the yearly viewing of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
Our family of four has gotten larger. Bekah bringing Jen to be part of our family. Dad coming to be part of our family holiday celebration, and this year Laura bringing Chris. We will see if he becomes part of our family, but he seems to fit quite well. The family is growing but the traditions remain the same. It is good to have traditions...common expectations that bind our family together.
So.......it is dog show time. I am about ready to clean up the breakfast feast. The Turkey feast is warming in the oven, turkey roasted all night. I need to make the gravy, cook the rolls, open the cranberry sauce, set the table and get ready to sit down with the people I love so much and give thanks.
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