A "nip" in the air, the smell of leaves burning, families gathered together. Men in the living room, women in the kitchen and children running and playing. Quite often the squeal of the little girls rings out and the "I'll tell Grandma!" A phrase that is famous with all grandchildren.

The anticipation of the table set with the Turkey/dressing and all the trimming. Of course, there was always the great big Apple Cinnamon Stack Cake Grandma made. It tantalized and teased the taste buds making you want to cry out for a piece before mealtime.

One by one the families came. Each family bearing their own special dishes. Each bringing something "special" since each of the kids like different things. It was almost a sin to look upon the table once the whole group arrived with all the food. It was not just one table of food but took an extra counter for all the sweets.

Once everything was in place, everyone gathered together as closely as we possible could get and the blessing was said. The men fixed their plates first. All the kids knew we were second in line for food. Our mothers always fixed our plates after the men went through the line. At last, the women fixed their own and began to try to find a place to sit and eat. When you put as many families together as we had, you were lucky to find a spot.

There was eight of grandma's children with their spouses and children when Grandma was living who always gather together during the holidays. That, truthfully, was a sight to see and especially to hear since we all seem to be gifted with the tongue! There was always laughter, along with someone calling you from across the room to join into a conversation.

Grandma always made sure we understood how abudantly blessed we were even though we were just middle class people. There was always food for the table, a warm house, clothing on our backs and Grandma wanted us to understand there were others not as fortunate.

Each year Grandma saw to it that we took a needy family. The grandchildren were involved in planning a hugh box or basket of food, along with clothing to the family selected. We didn't get off with just putting the basket together either. All the family went to visit the families. I can remember the times when we left those people's homes,too. I came back with a whole different attitude toward my life. Those special trips really left a place in heart for other people's plight in life. We may not have had riches running out the door but we had values instilled in us.

Our family grew as the grandchildren started marrying, then great-grand children came into the family. It really got busy at Thankgiving and Christmas but Grandma just seem to go her own way puttering on inher kitchen. Our ritual continued each year with just more mouths to feed and more laughter. There never seem to be a need for the neccessities in our lives. God had blessed us greatly.

My memories are still so very vivid; I can hear the clatter of dishes after the meal, the laughter of the women, the conversation in the living room generated by the men, the soft cry of a baby but mostly, I can hear my Grandma gently humming, "What a Friend we Have in Jesus". I often find myself these days humming that song as I work on these special holidays.

When Grandma passed away, Mom and Aunt Allie picked up the tradition not wanting the family to drift apart. Each year it has rotated from one or the other homes. Over the years, the number of our family has decreased and it's no longer as many to gather. I look back with wonderful memories but look forward knowing that we still share those wonderful times together. We still love to get together and the special dishes come through the door each year. Why! if "Aunt Peggy" didn't bring that Coconut cake the twin boys would think I'd lost my mind, Aunt Allie does a coconut pie like no one else, my mom does a mean banana puddin', then add all Lucy fixin's (Gooood Cook), slap Martha Belle in there with all her dishes, especially her Carmel Pie and Traci with her concoctions we love and you got one more feast. Dad usually points the finger at me for the Turkey/dressing. That adds up to one great big happy family.

We now have a new generation coming up. There are grandchildren and great-grand children looking forward to the gathering, not to mention how my own grandsons look so-o-o forward to going home to "Nanny Do's" (my Mother) each year for the Holidays. Big Daddy is always ready to "tweak" the little ones noses. Mom and Aunt Allie just seemed to take up where Grandma left off.

Aunt Allie is a story in herself..... she has always loved seeing the family come home. She just kindly "juned" around getting things done and when all was over and time for the dishes to be done, she has sent them on the way saying, "Now, I don't have a thing to do. You just go on home and rest." She and I have had many a conversation over those dishes when everyone was gone. More Memories !

Though miles seperate us, we do our best to make it home for the holidays. The date may have to be re-arranged for someones convenience but we are all there together at least once through the holiday season. The sound of laughter ringing out through the house, kids romping, the soft cry of a baby again and a dozen of us in little groups all talking at once. If you can't be heard, you just have to speak up a bit. When my husband came into the family (42 years ago) I often found him on the Lap around porch sitting in the swing since he was not use to a large family. These days when he is not heard, you can hear him clear his throat and speak right up.

Each year brings something new. Last year we have added two to the family. My neice, Jessica, married and we *Welcome* Dave into the family for his first Thanksgiving with us and We give God "Praise" for our new Grandson born on November 12th last year. We have a lot to say "Thank you" to the Heavenly Father for.

Life goes on, Tradition goes on. We feel it is our time to start taking Mom and Aunt Allie's place and let them rest a bit. We are the ones now to prepare for the younger ones and instill in them the love of God, Family and Tradition.

I am the one to carry the tradition with my own family. I hope my children and grandsons will love to come home at this time of the year when they are my age. Years past, somehow, much faster after mid life and I find the one thing I desire for my family is to instill in them the family tradition that was instilled so deeply in me as I grew up.....I think we are getting there ! It never fails that one of the kids calls and asks, "Have you heard what's up for the holiday?" Think that shows how much they want the tradition to continue. We would like to wish each of you a "Happy Thanksgiving" and pray that it will be as blessed ours have been through the years.

I think it would be a grand idea to take a family to share with this year Did you know you could get the name of a family in need from your "Health Department"! That's where to start. Put a sparkle in a child's life by sharing your abundance this year. Then watch your children realize how much they have to be thankful for.


You are cordially invited to dinner with the Williams'

If you are unable to attend, please click on the RSVP and let me share some of my favorite recipes with you for Thanksgiving. Sure hate you can't drop by but I hope you will enjoy the recipes and let's all remember to thank the Lord for our blessings this year.