Each year, I decide upon awaking that morning where I am going to go ~ will I be a young child again spending the day with Aunt Annelyle and Uncle Herbert in their large, gracious house with a dining room table that could easily seat twenty-two guests plus aunt at its head with uncle at its foot, and it did on special occasions.
I had thought that I might spend Thanksgiving in Connecticut this year, but now that I have begun to remember, I will start on an early Thanksgiving with Aunt Annelyle.
This time, I start with getting in the car, "What kind of car was it?" I ask my Memory.
Memory says, "Remember the photo albums."
It was an excellent suggestion, I turn mental pages until I find on a right side page, near the top, a photo of the four of us in a stylish, for that era, black car arriving at grandparents house, we all look happy. I savor this new-old memory.
Can I remember the hour's drive there, not really, but I was about seven then and that was one hundred years ago.
Golden Rules for any family or friends dinner or gathering that were always strictly enforced was that:
1 ~ Only one person could speak at a time on a subject of interest to everyone and that many, if not all, people could add to the subject.
2 ~ Taboo subjects were any forms of politics.
3 ~ No talk of religion, beyond the Blessing of the food, the occasion and the people gathered.
4 ~ No mention of anything bathroom related, except in one instance, about a young child in the bathtub with his rubber ducky.
5 ~ No talk of illness, hospitals or medical.
6 ~ No criticism.
7 ~ No loud talking.
8 ~ Of course, good table manners, no elbows on table or talking while chewing.
Firm in my memory is the welcoming, the comradely with both the adults and the other well-behaved children. We were served dinner in the handsome library two steps down from the dining room, french doors separated the two areas. Board games were supplied after we children ate.
When the adults finished their five course meal, everyone went into the large living room for the entertainment ~ supplied by each guest, who knew several weeks prior to the day, a requirement to accepting the invitation. I will save the details of that part for this year's Thanksgiving day.
With or without an actual place to be or to go, you, also can travel in memory back to any era of your life.
With imagination, you can create a new scenario, you can remove unpleasant people from the past or add a new charming one. You can borrow from a scene in a movie, or a book as long as it is a happy, gentle conversation (no talk of politics) appreciative of the person who has prepared the food and for all that you are thankful for this year.
I Rejoice In My Excellent Memory
And All The Happy Holidays Of The Past
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Greetings: I have based many of these monthly writings on quotes from family and friends. What meaningful quotes have your family, friends or you said that you can share? Email the quote(s) and a sentence or two concerning each, plus your name, town and state to joaneastben@mail.com and the best way to reach you.