When I was a girl, we often visited my grandparents on Thanksgiving. My mom’s dad was my favorite, as he was a talented chef and included me in his preparations. Assigned the job of removing the turkey’s stuffing, I loved being part of the hustle and bustle of prepping and serving a wonderful feast. The aromas were tantalizing!
My grandfather rewarded me for helping with a piece of the turkey he called “the chef’s silver dollar,” a particularly moist and flavorful piece from next to the breastbone.
(Please forgive me, anyone who is vegetarian. When I was little, no one I knew was vegetarian.)
I drift through memories of happy Thanksgivings, visiting with family, enjoying the nippy weather on the Atlantic Coast where I spent my childhood.
Today, near the opposite coast, I give thanks for the happiness in my life. Although we don’t see family much because of distance, my husband and I enjoy Thanksgiving with culinary challenges we set for ourselves. For several years, we chose a country’s cuisine and made that for the holiday. Japanese cuisine was especially challenging!
We also reverted to turkey and all the trimmings, but after Roger confided he disliked turkey, we’ve tried other menu items.
This year, we’re having a brisket. I have most of the ingredients, which I am grateful for. I am thankful for the abundance in our lives. Running to the store to pick up some fresh thyme in November for our Thanksgiving menu is a luxury that I don’t remember needing or using when I was a child.
Thinking about the world at large, I hope everyone is safe, with food, water, shelter−and love.
As a former teacher, I’m grateful to have the gift of reading and being able to share it, which makes our lives so much richer. Being an author has expanded my circle of friends and given me joy by providing people with reading that gives them pleasure, enrichment, and thought-provoking concepts.
Years ago, I wrote a book for young children. I remember the mom who told me about reading the book with her young daughter. She broke into an enormous grin when she shared that her child had learned to read using my book!
There’s so much to be thankful for and I’m so grateful to be sharing my books and life with all of you, my readers!
Wishing you a joyful, fulfilling Thanksgiving!
Warmest wishes –
Shelley Sommers
