December 2016
Thanksgiving always brings to mind many family memories. Over the years, I have celebrated Thanksgiving many ways and with many people. But my celebrations have always included at least one family member. The two constants in my life for the past nearly 32 years have been my brother and my son. We are a small family at this point, not close to adult cousins and with most aunts and uncles deceased. So my brother and I make a point to get together for the holidays and other times during the year. Maybe not on the exact holiday. (Thanksgiving was on Friday this year. It is an entertaining story involving my son and a new girlfriend, but too long for this column.)
So I am sitting at the table with the normal teasing and stories being exchanged. There was a new addition of my son, Aaron’s girlfriend. This led me to reflect on some past Thanksgivings, still missing my parents, both deceased well over a decade. When my brother and I were kids and preteen, we gathered at my maternal Grandmother’s for Thanksgiving. Now that was lively with the adults and offspring of most of Grandma’s 9 children. I remember the patience of Grandma as us kids raced around the house, through the kitchen and out the back door. And I remember the quiet Thanksgivings of just immediate family when my brother and I were older and Grandma was in a nursing home. I think I like the quiet ones better. I was blessed with parents who always made time for their children. Mom would make favorite foods for my brother and I. (Not necessarily the same food, as we had very different tastes then.) Dad would be in the living room playing cards or board games with my brother and I. Maybe the TV was on, but I don’t really remember. Dad was not a big sports fan, so we would not be watching football.
The values I carry today and the things I am thankful for come directly from what my parents taught me. Patience (that was Mom, especially), family, keeping it simple, sticking to a budget, make fun out of whatever you are doing, tease and laugh – but don’t be mean, hug – lots. I never knew my parents to go to bed angry with each other. Education was important to Dad. We had a set of encyclopedias and many types of puzzles and workbooks. From the time I could read, Dad would tell us kids to “go look it up” rather than simply answering a “what is” or “why” question. Then we would discuss what we found. I learned math by playing cribbage at a very young age.
This year at Thanksgiving I am especially giving thanks for my parents. I have a wonderful son, and I know my role in that has a lot to do with how I was parented. Thanks Mom and Dad!
An update from last month’s column. As you read this, I will have been in my new job one month. The stress is less. I love what I am doing. I am still tying up some loose ends from the previous position. And I truly appreciate all of you who asked about my stress and transition and by your interest, offered support.
Shalom,
Nancy
President