Childhood memories of Thanksgiving Day at 41 Maple Street, Oswayo are filled with a sense of excitement and joy. It was a day for the family to gather and to get caught up on one another's lives. Since it was a three-hour journey for us to Grandma's house, this particular holiday was sometimes the only day of the year that we would get to see the cousins, aunts, and uncles all in one place. The little house built in the early 1900s would be bustling and bursting at the seams once everyone got there--all twenty of us. We have been blessed that everyone was always glad to see each other. According to my childhood recollection, although there were occasionally heated discussions, there wasn't any relative that made the holiday difficult or uncomfortable.
Mom and Dad would either pack us up the day before to spend the night sharing a couch with a sister at Grandma's, or wake us early the morning of to make the trek, sometimes in snowy blizzards. The trip seemed so long. To pass the time we would sleep, taking turns to stretch out on the backseat or curl up on the floor, a sister on each side of the "hump" of the car (no seatbelts). It was always cozy and warm with blankets and pillows.
When we got restless, Mom would have us sing. We would sing hymns by heart like "Power In The Blood", "Showers Of Blessing", and "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder". A special treat would be when Dad led heartily in his tone-deaf singing voice with "What can wash away my sin?" while Mom and we girls would answer with "Nothing but the blood of Jesus". He usually had to be coaxed into singing his solo because he knew he couldn't carry a tune! As we drove through the Kinzua Dam area, snow hanging on the trees, Mom would sing "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go..." We girls would merrily chime in.
All the way there we would be on the lookout for bear, deer, turkeys, bunnies, and other wildlife--counting to see who could spy the most to tell Grandpa about them when we arrived. Midway, we usually stopped in Smethport for gas, to use the restroom, and if we were lucky--a bottle of Pepsi-cola (Dad's all-time preference)! The closer we got to Oswayo, Dad would remark about how the hills were getting taller and taller, reminding us to watch for "Old Baldy" in Millport where Great-grandpa Brizzee had helped clear the trees many years ago. Once we made it to Coneville, Mom always scolded Dad for speeding up the last few miles "home". We all knew he was anxious to get there, as were we. Once the car came to a stop in the driveway, we were all smothered in Grandma's hugs and kisses.
Preparations would start days before. All the womenfolk would bake up loaves of bread and favorite pies. My grandmother would get up in the wee hours of the morning to put the stuffed turkey into the oven and to peel potatoes. By the time everyone got there, all the windows were steamed over and the house was filled with tantalizing fragrances. Tables would be set up in the living room, leaving very little wiggle room for rambunctious grandchildren to skirt around. Grandma would put a large pedestaled glass bowl of red grapes and a relish tray of pickles and olives on the main table. After everyone had nibbled at them, Grandma would fain surprise that they were gone before we even sat down for dinner! Once the turkey was roasted and ready, my Grandpa or Uncle Bob (or both) would be called to the kitchen to carve the bird(s). Like vultures, we children would try to snitch the crispy skin and tasty morsels while they worked.
The table would be laden with lots of delicious steaming dishes. Grandpa would sit at the head of the table with his back to the large picture window and lead us all in giving thanks to God for family, food, and blessings. One thing about my Grandpa Harris was when giving thanks to anyone, he always made it more personal by using the first-person pronouns "I thank you" or "We thank you". Once the prayer was ended, the table hummed with our voices as dishes were passed. We enjoyed turkey, stuffing ("dressing"), mashed potatoes with gravy, squash, green beans, applesauce, cranberry sauce, bread (white, banana-nut, zucchini), fruit salad tossed in real whipped-cream, jams and apple butter, and pies (pumpkin, mincemeat, apple, rhubarb, and cherry). The end result was always feeling stuffed and lethargic with grateful hearts.
With so many crammed in the house, it would get stuffy and hot. The front and back doors would get propped open to let in cool air, but both adults and children would get a little stir-crazy. While some might sit in the parlor to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade or a football game on TV, others ventured outside to take walks, climb trees, build snowmen, go sled riding, or shoot guns for some target practice. Sometimes we would gather around Grandma's piano to sing or at the tables to play games like Scrabble, Checkers, Gin Rummy, or Flinch.
At the end of the day, we were all tuckered out and sad to say good-byes. Our family usually spent at least another night before returning home since we had to travel the farthest. However, when it came time for us to leave, Grandma and Grandpa would stand in the window or on the front porch to wave us off. She would have tears streaming down her face, and wipe them with the handkerchief she waved in the air as a farewell. We would watch out the car window, waving to her until we were passing the church, going out of town, and could no longer see her standing there waving the hanky. As children, we didn't understand the tears, but we did understand love.
Sadly, not everyone can claim such wonderful childhood memories. In truth, even my memories have been candy-coated to a certain degree with my mind allowing unpleasant ones to fade into shadows. For many people, the holidays are filled with painful, unforgettable memories and scars. If this has been your experience, I pray God will bless you with better memories and experiences this year and in the future. May this Thanksgiving be one when all of us focus on the greatest blessing of all--Jesus Christ!
"Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIRV)
On behalf of Dad and myself, I wish you all a Blessed Thanksgiving!
--Jan
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