Tradition, tradition!
In the box of papers, pictures, and greeting cards Granny saved that Jim and I took home after cleaning out the last of her possessions was a manilla envelope. Inside the envelope were original copies -- entire newspaper sections -- of the first articles I ever published. Nestled neatly among my first (Mosh-pit mom, Oct. 1994), second (Get this: Confessions of an online addict, Oct. 1995), and third (Stranger in our midst, 1997) published articles was a publication not bearing my words, but the published work of my then fifth-grade daughter, Megan.
The booklet treasured by Granny the past 16 years was a staple-bound school creation called Author Share: A journal for aspiring authors grades K-5 that Megan had sent her. In the "Traditions" chapter of this special "Holiday Issue 1994" was the following tidbit:
Traditions always have been, always will be an important part of our family.
An even more important part is Granny. Although no longer capable of rushing to the car to help with luggage, no longer able to participate in holiday celebrations at all, Granny continues to loom large in our hearts, ever so prominent in our Thanksgiving memories.
Today's question:
If you could magically have one special guest join your Thanksgiving festivities -- someone not already participating in this year's celebration -- whom would it be?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Reader Comments (15)
That was so sweet. I love to hear how children remember things like that....
That's nice, in these times that very few youngsters remember traditions, sweet=)
Awwwwww love Megan's story! Don't you love coming across things from when your kids were little? I love that!
I wish Joan and my sons could be in Atlanta with me for Thanksgiving this year, but sadly that's not going to happen. They will all be in my heart, though!
Terri
Sounds like that envelope held some precious memories! I want to spend Thanksgiving with my whole family. They live too far away to drive (1300 miles) and we could never afford to fly. Now that all the grandkids are grown and starting families of their own, I would love a Thanksgiving with them all!
The oldest of my seven children, my son Jeff, who is in hospital with a four-day-old amputation of his right foot and half the shin, and will be eating "hospital Thanksgiving" food, if he can eat at all.
When cleaning out my parents home when they could no longer care for themselves I came across such things too. Tucked away in a special place.... some things had saved for over 50 years. It taught me that the pride and love we have for our once little children never ends.
If I could have one person join our family for Thanksgiving it would be my older brother who we lost to cancer ten years ago. I was very close to him and he was a favorite uncle to my kids. We miss him dearly.
How sweet! I love finding memories like that -- I just cleaned out an old trunk from my husband's family and found so many treasures.
I would love to have my grandparents for Thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately they passed away many years ago.
Very sweet post! The person I wish we could have for Thanksgiving dinner is my brother, who is incarcerated for doing ( as he states now) "something very stupid". I know he misses his nephews and nieces and the whole family especially during the holidays.
What a sweet post...you brought tears to my eyes. And that's not a bad thing, more of a sentimental one!
As soon as I read your question, I had a visceral longing for my mother who died in 1994. How she would love to sbe in the middle of her grandkids and great grandkids. She was the center of our holiday celebrations and the maker of the pies extraordinaire. Some holes can't be filled.
My father-in-law. I really would have liked for him to meet his grandkids.
That is a very easy question to answer. My father of course. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
We have hopes of being home for that holiday, and not eating the hospital food (though I hear they do a nice holiday dinner, here). If we can be home, we'll eat with my daughter, who has been in the care of other relatives for the last few weeks.
Otherwise - I'd love to see my grandparents again.
I think it would be fun to visit a Thanksgiving 50 years ago and be part of my growing up family for just an afternoon.
I always love hearing the kids recant their favorite memories. How precious to have that one be published. No wonder Granny kept it close to her. In fact, I've been thinking I need to ask all my children to write some of their favorite memories and us them for gift giving during the holidays :)
Kristin