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Thanksgiving 2008

**Chapel in Thanksgiving Square - Dallas, TX**

Thanksgiving has always been a special day for me. Getting together with family plus eating a meal fit for a King is my idea of a celebration! My Dad made a very "memorable" stuffing and was usually the first one up on Thanksgiving morning stuffing the turkey and getting it in the oven. The day before he would make two of the world's best pumpkin pies around. His secret ingredient? A dollop of molasses and you HAD to add extra cinnamon. His crusts were handmade, flaky and delicious. There would always be a little leftover to make little flat pie pieces with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on. There was usually a little of the pie filling leftover that he would pour into small glasses for us to savor like fine wine. It's funny, but I think that's why I love Chai tea so much. It tastes similar to that wonderful pumpkin pie potion. Mom would keep us busy cleaning for days making sure everything was fresh, clean and in it's place. Thanksgiving day we could be found putting a fresh tablecloth, napkins complete with rings and dishes saved for "special occasions only on" the table. And food, let me tell you about food! There was always a big turkey complete with gravy, mashed potatoes, dressing and cranberry sauce. Mom would make a fruit salad with fruit cocktail, whipped topping, bananas, apples and extra maraschino cherries. There were hot rolls spread with real butter and sweet potatoes topped with brown sugar and little marshmallows. After stuffing ourselves with food we would all retire for more visiting and even quick naps. Then it would be back to the kitchen for the carcass picking and cleaning up. We could hardly wait to eat dessert piled high with whipped cream. Those days seem like yesterday and I miss them so much! In the last 10 years my parents have both passed away and my oldest sister too. It's just my sister Lynn and I now to carry on the traditions started so many years ago. 
I'm SO Thankful to have grown up in my childhood home with my sisters and parents. All 3 of us girls grew into well adjusted , thoughtful, caring parents ourselves. We instilled similar values into our children, many of whom are grown up with kids of their own now. I'm Thankful to have a home, not just the physical house of wood and stucco but a real home filled with laughter, love and strength. I'm Thankful for my ever growing family, increased with each marriage and birth. I'm Thankful for my friends, for the time spent together over coffee and breakfasts, camp-outs, movies, and the laughter and tears shared among my "chosen" family members. I'm especially Thankful for YOU, readers of my Blog, for coming back every so often to share my life and stories. I hope all of you are going to be spending this Thanksgiving with those you love, sharing food, stories, memories and love. 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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Anonymous said…
that was the most beautiful thing i have ever read i miss grandpa and grandma too they were alot of fun and lana was just awsome i am also very thankful for my family and friends i am sitting here crying thinking why do we get so carried away with life and work that it takes us a certin day for us to realize what great people and lives we really have we should make it a everyday must to be THANKFUL
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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