Although I have many wonderful Thanksgiving memories over the years, I have one that stands out. This is a tidied-up post from 2018.
It was a sunny day in the mountains. We decided to stay home alone for Thanksgiving for the first time since our move to the forest. Usually, our holiday consisted of a three-hour drive to the Bay Area and a three-hour trek back on the same day. Sometimes, we went to a relative’s house, other times we’d end up in a restaurant with family. There was always traffic increasing our traveling time or when we’d run into the dreaded fog. But, we felt it was worth it to spend time with loved ones. Then, there’d be occasions when people would come to our house, too. We’d spend our time entertaining and visiting them, then I’d collapse on the couch at the end of the day in exhaustion. This year, for many different reasons, we stayed home and had no guests. It was a first for our family of five.
I arose that beautiful November morning and got the 20-pound turkey in the oven. I turned on the Macy’s Day Parade and drank a cup of tea, while the rest of the family woke up. Then we ate a breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, bacon, eggs, and freshly squeezed orange juice and cheered on our favorite floats and balloons. We fantasized how it would be to have a hotel room along the parade route watch this in person and see New York during the Christmas season. Then came the excitement of Santa Claus’s appearance, signaling the end of the parade.
While our stuffed turkey continued to cook, it was time for me to get dressed. My husband took the kids outside to ride their bikes before the kids put on their holiday attire. My two pre-teen girls were on their mountain bikes, while my preschool son was on his Big Wheel. I slipped into my dress that would match my daughters and applied my make-up. Searching through my drawer I found the one pair of nylons that wasn’t snagged. Wearing my best jewelry and my slippers I was ready. I stepped out of the kitchen, filled with the smell of turkey, into a beautiful fall day. I was greeted by my children all lined up behind my husband, who was in his white dress shirt, black slacks, and suspenders. They went by oldest to youngest, with my son wearing his favorite train conductor hat, as they rode through the pines and cedars.
I quickly grabbed my camera and recorded this pure moment. Smiles lit everyone’s face, including mine, while laughter was layered into the air. All was right in our world. I changed, grabbed my bike, and joined the fun.
It was a day when there were no schedules to honor, no traveling, or guests to entertain–it was just us enjoying ourselves. That memory still brings me joy many years later. I don’t remember if the turkey was moist or the pies were perfectly seasoned with a tender crust. What I do remember is we ate together and then played a family favorite “The Disneyland Game.” Who won? Didn’t matter then or now. It was a time of innocence and love. A time of laughter and joy that is etched forever in my mind as the perfect Thanksgiving Day that still exists in that magical place where memories dwell.
This year we are spending Thanksgiving just the two of us. The kids have their places to be this year, but they will be in our hearts and our memories.
My hope for the day is, that maybe, just maybe, we can create some more magic to remember in the years to come, that will compare to that day in the sun so many holidays ago.
I will be off the rest of the week. For those who celebrate in the US, I wish you a wonderful and magical day! D. L. Finn
I love this so much! Have a fabulous Thanksgiving. I am used to big family get togethers but we will be alone this Christmas, and that’s OK. xo
PS Loving Miracles and Ghosts!
Thank you, Darlene 🙂 It is ok for those quiet moments too, I agree! Happy to hear you are enjoying it. Yay!
Aww 🥰 that sounds truly magical.
Memories of special days.
My children have grown and moved on. My brother and sisters too. But we still manage to get together occasionally.
This year, despite no plans I’m still getting out the many decorations to celebrate my Christmas.
It’s a workout in itself as the boxes of Lego and macrame craft projects seem to be multiplying and breeding 😂
Enjoy your celebrations too
Thank you, Sue 🙂 Those memories hold so much magic, don’t they? Like you, I’m going all out for the holidays, it’s something I enjoy. I’m convinced everything in our house multiplies. No matter what I give to charity, something new takes its place. Crafts are notorious for that.
Happy Thanksgiving, Denise! I loved reading about your wonderful peaceful family of five Thanksgiving all those years ago – truly magical and no wonder it was so special for you. Lovely photos and I really the tops you made! Very Christmassy! Xx
Thank you, Annika 🙂 So happy you enjoyed it! Memories can definitely be magical. I had fun making those shirts. Still have mine:)
I was going to ask if you still had yours! That’s lovely! 😀
So does hubby. I think I have my sons stored away too.
What a wonderful Thanksgiving memory! I was smiling just reading it. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thanks, Liz 🙂 Glad it brought you a smile too! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
You’re welcome, Denise. 😊
Great memories. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Craig 🙂 Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
Have a happy, wonderful Thanksgiving, Denise. 😊 💖
Thank you, Timothy:) Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Lovely memories, Denise. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, they sure are, Noelle 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
A joyful memory 🙂 I like that you don’t remember details like if the turkey was moist or who won the game. Because that stuff isn’t nearly as important as the loving day that you guys experienced. I hope you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving this week!
I agree none of those small details matter, Dave. As long as we have the love and joy of the day in our hearts. Thank you, Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
Your post got me thinking about our own Thanksgivings and ever-changing family dynamics. It’s hard not to get nostalgic this time of year.
Yes, always changing as kids and grandkids growing up. Traditions change and it is fun to look back at the old ones! Enjoy your holiday.
A lovely post, Denise. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, John 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
😊
You do have fun together. I love seeing that.
Yes, we sure did, Jacqui 🙂 Always better to focus on the love, even in the past.
What a lovely post about your Thanksgiving memories, Denise. I love the family photos. 🙂
Thank you, Kay 🙂 Fun digging out the old photos.
A lovely memory, Denise. The true spirit of Thanksgiving shines through. I hope this year’s Thanksgiving is special in its own perfect way. Hugs.
Thank you, Diana 🙂 It’s those magical moments we need to hang to to. I hope the very same for you too. Hugs xo
Thanks for sharing your memories, Denise. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy to relive and share them, Priscilla 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Denise – this is the most beautiful reflection on thanksgiving. I was with you watching the Macy parade with a cup of tea in my hand. Happy Thanksgiving – celebrating this special day from our side of the border. Hugs!
Thank you, Rebecca 🙂 Glad to have you along in celebration! Hugs right back to you xo
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
HAPPY THANKS GIVING !!!!
to you and yours, Denise
🕊🤍🌹🌹🤍🕊
Thank you, Resa! Hapoy holidays to you and yours too xo
xo
Lovely memories. I hope we all have a chance to make more. Happy Thanksgiving, Denise.
Thank you, Dan 🙂 That’s my hope too. Happy Thanksgiving!
Those are wonderful Thanksgiving memories and photos. I wish you both a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Thomas 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
This Thanksgiving will just be my son and me, and I’m perfectly fine with that. I love spending time with him. We will most likely put up the Christmas tree, go to the movies, ride our bikes, and end the day with dinner and a movie. A perfect holiday to me!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
That does sound like the perfect day full of magic! I enjoy going to the movies on Thanksgiving and a great day to put up the tree. There’s nothing like a bike ride with family, might do that here, too. Enjoy your day making memories! Happy Thanksgiving, Yvette! Xo
I loved reading this, Denise! Beautiful memories and photos! For the first time, it will be just the two of us tomorrow, but we’ll zoom with the kids in the morning. They’ll be home for Christmas though, which we can’t wait for. The rain has subsided, so after zooming, we’ll go for a lovely drive into West Marin, and then we’ll enjoy the dinner later. Like you read on my post, plans shift as we get older, loved ones pass, and we can recall those wonderful memories while enjoying the present. I believe there is always something to feel grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡🍁
Thank you, Lauren 🙂 It is different not having the kids there, but a good different too. I tell my husband it started with just us and we always had fun, and we still do. Driving to West Marin sounds fun, perfect weather for it. Plans do shift as we get older but the memories never fade as we find new ways to celebrate. Yes, so true always a reason to be grateful! Happy Thanksgiving xo
What a beautiful family! Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend and time off. I finished reading your wonderful book, “Miracles and Ghosts,” and plan to post my review to my blog, Amazon, and Goodreads on Wednesday, December 4th. Thank you, Denise!
Thank you, Dawn 🙂 Throughly enjoyed my time. So happy you decided to read it. I will stop by and always appreciate the pist and review. Xo
Hi Denise, a wonderful and joyful post about that long ago Thanksgiving. My boys are also all grown up now and it’s not quite the same as it used to be.