It’s the day before Thanksgiving and I’m in my room writing with music playing thinking about the perfect thanksgiving. But, if I had it my way Thanksgiving day would be eventful. Wake up in the morning with coffee filling the air and I come downstairs to all of the women in my family my mother, grandmother, cousin and great grandmother doing their duties. Grandma is rolling out dough for biscuits and chicken n dumplings, my mom taking the stem off the green and my great grand mom sautéing vegetables for homemade stuffing and picking string beans at the same time. There I am watching everyone with smiles on their faces, Christmas music playing. One person is humming, making up words and the other is out singing everyone. I stand there asking what I could do to help and I get the worst job of all, grating the cheese! Homemade macaroni and cheese was always a staple in our household. My great grand mom used to say, “ The more cheese, the better it is.” As I chime in singing Motown’s Christmas mix, we are all untied as one. There is no worrying with problems of our lives, work, or stress from everyday things. Just three generations cooking and having a good time. After all it is what the holidays are all about, right?
Then it happens. The bickering over not cleaning the greens all the way through, me having too much cheese, and having to get a burner free to boil the sweet potatoes. We have our creative discussions and still get the job done. I sit at the table with my grated cheese and smile. I couldn’t have a better family. I’m thankful that we are all together in a room doing things as a family instead the norm living as individuals. Sipping on a cup of coffee, I get up to go in the kitchen and help do something and my great grandmother says, “ Take the pies out of the oven so I can put the macaroni and cheese and the stuffing in.” I do as I’m told. By this time the house is nice and cozy with smells swarming around the house. The smell of greens, sweet potato fluff, and pineapple upside down cake fill the air. All the hard work we have done in our kitchen has been filled with love. My grand mom used to say, “ Love is what cures the soul.” It’s now dinnertime and we have the full spread ready. Turkey wings, a turkey, spiral ham, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, sweet potato fluff, greens, string beans, deviled eggs (angel eggs) according to my great grand mom, corn bread, black eye peas, chicken n dumplings, sweet potato pies, pineapple upside down cake, chocolate cake, and all of the beverages you want. Our table is surrounded with my grandfather, brothers, nephews, cousins, and my friends who would stop by. Everyone would be invited to eat talk trash, listen to wisdom, music, watch the game, play cards, drink and be merry. This is how I’d love for my Thanksgiving to be if I had the chance again. Rest in peace to my brother, grandmother, great grandmother and cousin. Although you are not here, I'm grateful for the memories that I have of each one of you. Happy Holidays everyone. Be happy; eat great, and cheers from me to you.
Then it happens. The bickering over not cleaning the greens all the way through, me having too much cheese, and having to get a burner free to boil the sweet potatoes. We have our creative discussions and still get the job done. I sit at the table with my grated cheese and smile. I couldn’t have a better family. I’m thankful that we are all together in a room doing things as a family instead the norm living as individuals. Sipping on a cup of coffee, I get up to go in the kitchen and help do something and my great grandmother says, “ Take the pies out of the oven so I can put the macaroni and cheese and the stuffing in.” I do as I’m told. By this time the house is nice and cozy with smells swarming around the house. The smell of greens, sweet potato fluff, and pineapple upside down cake fill the air. All the hard work we have done in our kitchen has been filled with love. My grand mom used to say, “ Love is what cures the soul.” It’s now dinnertime and we have the full spread ready. Turkey wings, a turkey, spiral ham, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, sweet potato fluff, greens, string beans, deviled eggs (angel eggs) according to my great grand mom, corn bread, black eye peas, chicken n dumplings, sweet potato pies, pineapple upside down cake, chocolate cake, and all of the beverages you want. Our table is surrounded with my grandfather, brothers, nephews, cousins, and my friends who would stop by. Everyone would be invited to eat talk trash, listen to wisdom, music, watch the game, play cards, drink and be merry. This is how I’d love for my Thanksgiving to be if I had the chance again. Rest in peace to my brother, grandmother, great grandmother and cousin. Although you are not here, I'm grateful for the memories that I have of each one of you. Happy Holidays everyone. Be happy; eat great, and cheers from me to you.