Since the deaths of both my Mom and Dad this last winter my emotions have been on a roller coaster. There are days when I wish I could once again pick up the phone and call; just to hear their voices again. They are gone and life moves on.
As the weather in Texas starts to get a little cooler, Football is in full swing with the High School playoffs beginning this week and Stores are stocking up anticipating the coming Holiday season, my mind begins to search the memories of growing up. I grew up in Northeast Kansas in a small town during a time when life was simpler. Many of the holiday treats were homemade and Family Gatherings were a collective effort Food and fun for all. Sometime in the Early days of fall my Mom would begin the ritual of making lots of Homemade Candies and Holiday Cookies that would be stored carefully away in the freezer until the Holidays began. Many a day I would arrive home with my 4 siblings to the smell of freshly made treats hoping Mom would save a least a little taste for each of us. Most of the time there would be a small sampling for us to share.
Then beginning with Thanksgiving week the Holiday Season would begin. There would be pies and rolls to bake and there is nothing better than the aroma of a fresh Homemade baked goods as they bake to perfection. My Mom was a great cook! The jello salads would be made and the list of supplies needed for Thanksgiving dinner would be checked and purchased because back in those days it was unheard of any store being open on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving was many times spent with my Dad's side of the family. Mom and Aunt Betty and Aunt Betty Mae along with Grandma would begin the Turkey and Dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and various other dishes all homemade. My Dad and Uncle Frank would take my younger brother Mike, cousin Frankie and me to hunt Quail in the Northeast Kansas farmlands. We would get up before the sun would rise and many times would sit along the road in our pickup sipping hot chocolate and coffee waiting for daylight. After the morning hunt we would head back to join the rest of the Family for the Thanksgiving feast. I say feast because there would be enough food you could eat all day and still have enough left over for several meals.
The sights and sounds of Thanksgiving with family are valuable memories. It shows me the love my parents had for me and my brothers and sisters to make sure we had a rich family experience to cherish the rest of our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving Mom and Dad! Thank You for the memories!
