"Oh every year this is the way___
The U. S. celebrates Thanksgiving Day."
--- from "Turkey in the Pan"
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.
I was born on Thanksgiving Day, much to my mother's chagrin. Since I was not due for another two weeks, she thought it was safe to invite her entire family down from Idaho for the festivities. She loved to bake and cook and host large family gatherings. She had mopped the floors, prepared make-shift beds, baked the pies, prepped most of the side dishes, put the turkey in the oven, welcomed the weary guests who had traveled all night, and --- SURPRISE! I decided to make my entrance into the world.
The U. S. celebrates Thanksgiving Day."
--- from "Turkey in the Pan"
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.
I was born on Thanksgiving Day, much to my mother's chagrin. Since I was not due for another two weeks, she thought it was safe to invite her entire family down from Idaho for the festivities. She loved to bake and cook and host large family gatherings. She had mopped the floors, prepared make-shift beds, baked the pies, prepped most of the side dishes, put the turkey in the oven, welcomed the weary guests who had traveled all night, and --- SURPRISE! I decided to make my entrance into the world.
My mom barely had enough time to brief her mother and sisters about what to do to finish the cooking, then my dad rushed her to the hospital. I was born at 9:18 am. (I guess I didn't want to miss my first Thanksgiving Feast!) The hospital staff brought my mother their version of Thanksgiving dinner BUT it was just not up to my mother's standards. She thought of the beautiful meal she had prepared and convinced my dad to go home and sneak her back a plate.
Thanksgiving was when most of my family travelled from all over to get to a central gathering place to celebrate. The food was tasty, of course, but that wasn't the only main event. My family -- aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, everybody -- SINGS! This was a day when we all entertained each other with music. It started at the meal with the family singing "Turkey in the Pan" (with special words by Aunt Janie) and finished late into the night by singing most of Handel's "Messiah" complete with solos and choruses.
I always thought I had the biggest, best birthday parties ever!!! Who else got to see their entire family for their birthday? Besides, I always got pumpkin pie with candles in it instead of birthday cake. (I really don't like to eat cake.)
I always thought I had the biggest, best birthday parties ever!!! Who else got to see their entire family for their birthday? Besides, I always got pumpkin pie with candles in it instead of birthday cake. (I really don't like to eat cake.)
No wonder I have always had a special connection to the Pilgrims who celebrated that first Thanksgiving Day so long ago. I just learned that I have some Mayflower connections. My 11th great grandfather was John Alden who in 1620 had signed on as a crew member aboard the Mayflower. He actually decided to stay with the Pilgrims in the Plymouth Colony. He eventually married Priscilla Mullins, a Pilgrim passenger aboard the Mayflower. They raised 10 children and have what is considered to be the largest family of descendants in America who can trace their lineage back to the Mayflower crossing. (So, I probably have an even greater host of cousins out there somewhere! Wouldn't it be great to learn that they all SING?)
I am so grateful to find this connection. No wonder I decided to be born on Thanksgiving Day!
I am so grateful to find this connection. No wonder I decided to be born on Thanksgiving Day!
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