Thanksgiving Eve

"The success of a dinner party depends not so much on what you put on the table as who you put on the chairs." (author unknown)

Thanksgiving Eve has deep fond memories for me. The memory of my mother and her kind ways can never be left out of my thoughts. You see my mother was the definition of a Peacemaker. She and my father had both been married prior to their own marriage and between them had 6 kids before I ever entered the picture. My mother was the most gracious person I have ever known when it came to sharing her loved ones. One of the biggest acts of kindness I can recall is that every year she had Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Eve - the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. She did this to free up everyone in the family on Thanksgiving day. Of course anyone who wanted to come to our home was welcome but most of those 6 grown children spent Thanksgiving day guilt free with their in-laws. My parents were always generous. There was always more than enough food and pretty much anyone was welcome and no one was expected to contribute or bring a thing. However, my family is very generous so almost everyone learned along the way to share and give. My father and my aunt always had oyster stew and in addition to all of the traditional trimmings, my mother usually prepared duck because my father liked it. My mother was a wonderful example of how a woman serves her family. I have great Thanksgiving Eve memories of laughter, joy, football in the street, a party atmosphere, festive clothing (people used to dress up) and a more than satisfying meal. The dinner party was always successful because I had a great family. I wish I could thank my mom personally now that I have such a deep appreciation. The best way to thank and honor her perhaps is to perpetuate the love that she instilled in me by serving my own family with generosity, kindness, love and of course TURKEY!