Thanksgiving Traditions

Our family joined countless others this holiday season by looking at airline flight times and prices to determine Thanksgiving rather than looking at the calendar. Our only son Caleb has headed west to seek his fortune, so holidays now will involve airports and luggage restrictions, rather than just a long drive. This isn't a problem, we will just join many, many others that say "it's about being together, it's not about the date."

Growing up the date was pretty darn important. Holiday time was shared between the two grandparents homes and most years that meant two huge Thanksgiving dinners in one day. One grandma in Grove the other in Vinita, we hauled pies and pickle trays up and down the highway.

Holiday traditions were predictable. We knew what dishes would be on the table: Auntie V's hot rolls, Aunt Margie's Jell-O salads, Aunt Wanda's macaroni and cheese. And we knew where we would sit... the kids table.

When Thanksgiving gave us a mild day in Vinita, the cousins would all work off the noodles playing in the backyard. Me-Maw and Pop had a cellar and we loved running up the door and rolling down what seemed like a giant mound of entertainment. Covered in dry grass, we'd run into the house for a glass of tea and head out again. The uncles would lean over a wobbly card table, staring at dominoes and interrupt the sound of washing and story dishes with some laughs and hoots as 'counters' were laid down.

Our family doesn't have those deep predictable traditions. As families have spread over the map and jobs and availability have determined what the holiday holds, we relaxed the mandatory attendance. As a mom, I told my son one of the gifts he was getting in life was the tradition of "no tradition." We have agreed that we will take it year-by-year and holiday by holiday. And we will be grateful for whatever not do the 'obligation' and 'guilt'.

Many families will gather around a table much like a Norman Rockwell painting. Other families will be a bit more abstract. Some will Skype in, some will travel together, and some will enjoy a day off. All of these are perfect ways to celebrate a holiday based on being thankful and counting blessings. We are blessed to live in America and have choices.

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy... Whatever it is you do.