Mama really did it that year!
Daddy seemed somewhat puzzled as he enjoyed his Thanksgiving dinner.
“What’s the different taste in the dressing, Susie?” he asked my mama.
I had noticed it, too, but had remained quiet about it.
“O, I read about oyster Thanksgiving dressing and so I made it this year! After I put the cornbread dressing in the pan before I baked it, I added fresh oysters. Then I baked it as usual. Don’t you love it?” she answered.
“Well, it’s different!” he said, and tried another bite.
Oysters or not, Daddy enjoyed his meal and cleaned his plate. I had a small pile of oysters on the side of my plate I secretly slipped to the cat.
When you mess with tradition you can get in trouble, or you can have a time of realization of what the event is really about!
The first year after Jon died, I couldn’t face Thanksgiving without him. So, our family did a new thing. We went together to the “Po Boy” contest in New Orleans, where lots of food trucks and set-ups offered po’boy sandwiches of every type. We watched the crowd, listened to the music and ate very nontraditional Thanksgiving food. We made it through without tears.
The next year, we were able to celebrate in our traditional family way. In spite of missing Jon around our table, we were thankful we could look forward to seeing him again in heaven.
“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11: 25-27)
We have so much to be thankful for! I like the phrase I have seen lately: “Thanksgiving! That’s really a great way to approach life and the myriad of experiences we have here on Earth. Couples get along better, children and parents, children and children, friends, and people we meet in daily life appreciate kindness.”
Saying “Thank you” changes us into a positive attitude. “Thank you” takes the emphasis off self and puts it on the other person.
Giving thanks to God is essential in our Christian life.
Giving thanks is biblical: “Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever!” (Psalm 107:1)
Whatever is going on in your life, there is something to give thanks for: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)
We continue to pray: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2)
We can depend on God: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” (Psalm 28:7)
At our Thanksgiving table, we go around letting each person say some things he or she is thankful for.
Being thankful and thanking God for all our blessings is what is important whether over a po’boy or just mac and cheese and hot dogs
But I do love Southern turkey and dressing like Mama served at her table (with or without oysters)!
