My Mom, stepdad Max and the aunts and uncles we thought of as the older generation...are all gone now, and my cousins and I have replaced them. We've become the older generation and now we are the keepers of long-held family traditions.
I remember the days when we called Mom and her two sisters "The Three Graces." Well into their elder years they gathered in the kitchen to cook the dinner and clean afterwards. I can picture their synchronized dish washing team as though it was yesterday. No one ever would have thought of using paper or plastic plates. It was china and glass or crystal all the way though to dessert time. Our family was big back then and sometimes we'd have as many as 30 or 35 at our dinner. That was only the L.A. branch. There were many more in Chicago.
The "kid's" table is gone now. Only my cousins David and Audra bring a tyke to the table, so Kai who is nearly 3 sits with the big folks.
The numbers have dwindled, but we always try to at least get together for the holidays. Generally I take Christmas and my cousin Barbara and her husband Warren take Thanksgiving.
This year Barbara hurt her back and we explored the possibility of having our dinner at a restaurant. Somehow it seemed too foreign in comparison to the wonderful dinners of the past. Our zany dinners are always filled with antics, laughter and joy, so it just didn't seem like something you could recapture in a restaurant.
Some of the family at our Thanksgiving table
Ralph's Grocery and potluck additions to the rescue. The turkey and ham were purchased fully cooked and spiral sliced from their local Ralph's. The package included side dishes. With contributions of desserts, yet more side dishes like my husband's killer cranberry/ sausage stuffing and lots of cheer and, yes, the requisite laughter, our Thanksgiving tradition continued.
To those who have family, try to keep the bonds strong. Reach out to friends who find themselves without family, particularly during the holiday season. It can be a lonely time for some. For us, our friends Judy and Kitty have become part of our extended family and we welcome them right along with cousins and their offspring. You can often find them at our Christmas table.
Holiday cheer to you and yours. MORGAN
I remember the days when we called Mom and her two sisters "The Three Graces." Well into their elder years they gathered in the kitchen to cook the dinner and clean afterwards. I can picture their synchronized dish washing team as though it was yesterday. No one ever would have thought of using paper or plastic plates. It was china and glass or crystal all the way though to dessert time. Our family was big back then and sometimes we'd have as many as 30 or 35 at our dinner. That was only the L.A. branch. There were many more in Chicago.
The "kid's" table is gone now. Only my cousins David and Audra bring a tyke to the table, so Kai who is nearly 3 sits with the big folks.
The numbers have dwindled, but we always try to at least get together for the holidays. Generally I take Christmas and my cousin Barbara and her husband Warren take Thanksgiving.
This year Barbara hurt her back and we explored the possibility of having our dinner at a restaurant. Somehow it seemed too foreign in comparison to the wonderful dinners of the past. Our zany dinners are always filled with antics, laughter and joy, so it just didn't seem like something you could recapture in a restaurant.
Some of the family at our Thanksgiving table
Ralph's Grocery and potluck additions to the rescue. The turkey and ham were purchased fully cooked and spiral sliced from their local Ralph's. The package included side dishes. With contributions of desserts, yet more side dishes like my husband's killer cranberry/ sausage stuffing and lots of cheer and, yes, the requisite laughter, our Thanksgiving tradition continued.To those who have family, try to keep the bonds strong. Reach out to friends who find themselves without family, particularly during the holiday season. It can be a lonely time for some. For us, our friends Judy and Kitty have become part of our extended family and we welcome them right along with cousins and their offspring. You can often find them at our Christmas table.
Holiday cheer to you and yours. MORGAN
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