Thanksgiving, Then, Now, and Everyday
Posted: Friday, November 07, 2008
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
As a child growing up in a poor farming community, our Thanksgiving Dinner was whatever we had or could afford at the time. Sometimes our turkey came from the woods behind the house where Dad laid in wait with his trusty hunting rifle or shotgun. If he was lucky, we had turkey; if not, we might have squirrel or rabbit. I even remember very, very lean times when our Thanksgiving Dinner consisted of boiled chicken donated to my family by our nearest neighbors or the community church group.
In those days summer was the only time of plenty-crops from the fields brought in the income that would have to suffice for the entire year. Income depended entirely on how well the crops turned out for the year. That meant that by the time Thanksgiving came around, there could be times of some mighty thin pickin's for the dinner table. But, no matter what was on our table, ten heads would bow and thanks would be said for what lay before us.
After I became grown and left home things changed for my parents. As all the children began to move out and start their own lives, life for my parents became much easier. Although we never heard them complain once about the hard life they had had trying to support such a large family, we all knew how hard they had to work to support us. We each tried to show a portion of the gratitude that we felt for their sacrifice by sharing our good fortune with them. Never again was their table bare.
Thanksgiving became an enormous family affair as my brothers, myself, and my sisters returned home for that Holiday year after year bringing the grandchildren that would fill the old farmhouse with laughter and joy. As the family grew larger it became necessary to set up two to three tables to accommodate everyone. It was a glorious time for all and Thanksgiving remains one of the more joyous times in my life. I looked around the large room and smiled as all heads bowed in thanks.
Today our lives have undergone more change; our parents have long since passed away and we have become grandparents ourselves with our own individual families celebrating Thanksgiving Day in our own individual worlds. But the sense of gratitude remains unchanged. We say our thanks for the bounteousness of God's good grace and pray that hunger throughout the world could become a thing of the past.
As I visit restaurants today and see a family bow their heads over their meal, I feel a moving emotion go through my heart. It means so much to me to know that there are true believers in these harsh times that still take the time to be thankful on an everyday basis.
May your home, heart, and family be filled with all good things for this Thanksgiving Day 2008.
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Sandra E. Graham, author, AMOS JAKEY and NICOLINA published by American Book Publishing. I also write book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures. Visit my website for more information on my books that are in print now and reviews I have written.
http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Hi Sandra, you never fail to warm my heart with your stories. Always heart-felt and inviting. Lord bless you and many more joyous Thanksgiving memories to you. I suppose everyday is thanksgiving with God. Love and Hugs, TeresaThanks so much, Teresa. Glad you enjoyed it.Sandra
A very good article Sandra, thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.Thanks, David. And another Happy Birthday to you.Sandra
Great story! It's funny though that children almost never know that they are poor. Maybe that figure it out sooner nowadays, I don't know..Here's to Thanksgiving!Jennifer :)Children have the outlook on life that we all need. Thanks for reading and commenting, Jennifer.Sandra
hi sandra,have you ever written about your life? it sounds very interesting, and i think it's good to keep those stories alive for future generations. 8 kids. could you imagine being pregnant and giving birth 8 times? no way. there was a show on tv last week where they had 17 kids, and another couple had 20, and this is happening now.thanks for sharing, it was nostalgic to me,my best regards,sueHI SANDRA,HAVE YOU EVER WRITTEN ABOUT YOUR LIE? IT SOUNDS VERY INTERESTING, AND IT'S GOOD, I THINK, TO KEEP THOSE STORIES ALIVE SO OUR YOUNGER GENERATION CAN LEARN THROUGH THOSE SAME STORIES, HOW OTHERS HAD IT GROWING UP. THANKS FOR SHARINGHello, Sue. Thanks for reading and commenting. Actually, I have two books published--one (AMOS JAKEY) is loosely based on my father's life and the second, the sequel to AJ (NICOLINA) is loosely based on my mother's life--she had ten brothers and sisters. I am gradually working toward my own life, but it isn't quite as interesting as my parents'. I am currently working on a new book called 'GREENE COUNTY'---with ideas derived from my daughter's work with the Greene Co. Sheriff's department.Have a great day, Sue.Sandra
Sandra, I appreciate the time you put into this article and it's a great reminder of what we have to be thankful for. Thanks for the reminder. WarrenThank you so much, Warren, for reading and commenting. And welcome to Searchwarp.Sandra
Although I did not go through any hard times as a child, this did bring back memories of how we could find enjoyment in the simple things. The toys we had were often homemade, but with great imaginations we enjoyed them all.Thanks, David, for reading and commenting. Those are the best things--the simple things.Welcome to Searchwarp.Sandra
We have so many wild turkeys around here- your dad would've been in turkey heaven! (well I guess it would've been the turkeys in heaven) Thanks for sharing, you reminded me of our huge gatherings when I was a child, too. ValThanks so much, Val, for reading and commenting. Have a great Holiday.Sandra
Just another well done job. Yes Thanksgivings past. A day or love and friendship. I fear just another day now.Thanks, Robert. We must try to make sure our Thanksgiving days are not just a thing of the past. I want to make sure my grandchildren have the same good memories of Holidays past that I have.Best to you.Sandra
Wonderful and sweet! Thanksgiving IS about being thankful with what you have.Thanks so much, Jean. That's what it's all about--thankful for what we have.Sandra
It is very pleasant to hear how the hard times make inspired adults that can share with their family. Thank you for sharing.Thanks so much, Greg, for reading and commenting.Have a great week-end.Sandra
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