Thanksgiving 2020

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Thanksgiving is such a beautiful holiday for my family. We usually meet up and do a reunion-style gathering. Loved ones I haven't seen all year bring the tastiest foods to enjoy. Lots of love, hugs, and laughter fill the air. 
I'm going to miss them so much. This year because of COVID, it will be a small gathering - my son, my daughter, myself, and our fur babies, of course.  I will be the one cooking and baking. My daughter has offered to help, but she likes to eat more than cook.  Regardless of the smaller crowd, I am so thankful to give love and be loved.

A few days ago, I overheard two people having a discussion. One was excited about celebrating Thanksgiving, but the other condemned the holiday.  He spoke about how the first Thanksgiving supported colonization of our country and led to the suppression of Native Americans. Judging the views  of others is not my job.  I will never be the one to ignore history. I feel we should learn from it and find ways to make it better. What I will say is we must learn to build from what we have now.  I was raised to see Thanksgiving as a coming together - A time to share your blessings and share love. My mom is not with us today, but she always started cooking on Wednesday night and stayed up until morning baking sweets and goodies to only get back up in an hour or so to start the main meal.  I would sneak into the kitchen when she fell asleep and stuff my mouth with anything she would not notice was missing when she returned to her duty. The love of family is instilled in our blood because of how we were taught to celebrate and give thanks to God at Thanksgiving. 

My favorite dessert at Thanksgiving is Jelly Cake. My mom would make it and pretend to not notice the missing slice I took before the dinner. She wouldn't say anything but smile. When she passed, my sister Voncille began baking it for me. She would make it with five thin layers and put lots of apple jelly in between each of them.  I miss both my mom and sister and my other family members who have transitioned so much. My sister, Vina, then started baking jelly cakes for me. Vina's cake sometimes leaned or was a little crunchy around the edges, but it was so delicious because of the love she poured into it. This year, I'm going to attempt to make my own. I'm not good at baking cakes so my expectation is going to start at the bottom and hopefully I will surprise myself. Sometimes you have to let go of the norm to see what you are made of within. COVID has definitely brought on some challenges, but keep in mind, it will not last forever. Remember Thanksgiving is a blessing of love so no matter how your traditional dinner or gathering changes, let people know that you still love and are thinking of them. Have a beautiful safe holiday and many Blessings always. ~ Carla