I got a strange post on my forum and it is just now sinking in. She stated that Thanksgiving was an American Holiday. Even though we have different religions we still respect your celebrations as you do ours. I was surprised at her words. An American Holiday, for sure. Well yes, it is the celebration of the first Thanksgiving and the landing of the mayflower, and the pilgrims and the indians making friends right. Well no, not in many eyes. Thanksgiving is giving thanks for what we have and what we have been given. How many of you really think about the pilgrims on this day. So even though I am an American living in another country, do I still think of my family and friends sitting down together celebrating, you bet your sweet bippy I do. I have memories of the old times when I was there and my Aunt Lemoise, God rest her soul, use to have us all around and she would cook the big bird. She always had us early to have biscuits and gravy. Homemade biscuits of course and she always had hot tea. I guess I am addicted to the stuff early in life. She lived way out in the country with no indoor toilet so we had to take our newspaper to wipe ourself with and go out doors. She had a old had pump for the well and afterwards we would go outside and pump the water up so we could wash up. We would then go inside and sit in the big room talking with everyone.
All the family would come in and you know in those days, no one talked about anyone, we would just chit chat about our own life. Johnny who was "Slow" as we say it nice was always home as he could not go out much so he loved to watch tv. Alan who was married for a short time to Johnny Bench's sister was always involved in his work. He was a very important person and rich. And Billy who was going to college as that was what he was meant to do. Dorothy was there also with her family, very religious indeed and very proper. Of course my mom and dad were there, they loved Lemoise so much. My two sisters Patty and Julie too. Julie hated such things and Patty just loved to eat. Lemoise who worked her whole life and had nothing to say and worked in the fields all day long and then they would go to town to sell their wares. Whether it was strawberries or apples, she was very loyal and dutiful. We were always there. I hated those days as I wanted to live in a modern world. To me this was boring.
Now I look back and I long for those days to be with my Aunt Lemoise. She is dead now. Do I celebrate the pilgrims, well no. Do I make a turkey and sit down with family and friends on this day, well no. But be for sure that in my heart you all will remain and with hopes and prayers that you are cherishing this day together and ok, maybe for one fleeing moment you might think of the the crazy, cat loving woman who wished you a very, very, very Happy Thanksgiving.