Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather and share time together. It is a good time to reflect on the past and create memories for the future. Please share your favorite Thanksgiving memory or a story that captures the spirit of Thanksgiving.

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My husband, and two sons drove from Virginia to Cape Cod, Ma. and had Thanksgiving at the beach house owned by my parents. We had a roaring fire in the fireplace, and slept in sleeping bags because we had no central heat.

My mom, sisters, and I all worked in the kitchen preparing the feast, and while the turkey was cooking we walked to the beach.

It was the last Thanksgiving I ever shared with my parents, since they are both gone and the house is sold. I have pictures of everyone together and am so glad for that special memory.

Kathy

In 1997, I didn't want to intrude on family, mainly because we had to pick which side of the family to share dinner with. So we told both sides that we were going to cook our own dinner that year.

I had no idea how to cook a turkey, so we decided to go out to a buffet place to eat. We didn't want anyone on either side of the family to know, and we just knew that kids would blab it to Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents. So my husband and I devised a plan that I would "Accidently Burn the Turkey" and then we would be forced to have to out for dinner.

So I made beleive that I put a turkey into the oven and about 30 minutes later while the kids, who were still toddler age, where playing... my husband and I play acted that I burned that turkey and I pretended to cry.

So my husband had a "BRILLIANT" idea that we just forget about the "burnt" turkey and go out to Hometown Buffet instead. It worked like a charm! We fooled the kids and they relayed how Mommy burned the Turkey and we had to go out to eat. It saved us from a stressful meal with family and we only recently revealed our little secret to the kids, who are now teenagers.

They found the whole story funny!

Bonnie Hardman

My favorite Thanksgiving was when we had a great big storm and the lights went out and the turkey had to be cooked somewhere else, the other things on the grill. It was so great we were with friends and we played games and enjoyed turkey in the dark.

Renee

I remember the Thanksgiving holidays, back in the 50's and 60's. We would be out of school for Thanksgiving Day, and the Friday after - four whole days counting the weekend. There would be Thanksgiving's that we would spend with my Uncle Lee and Aunt Viola's, and the cousins, in St. Petersburg, Fla. It would be such a jolly time, enjoying the beautiful Florida weather, and the wonderful bounty of food, that the Lord provided for us. There would be family and friends, to see and gather for the historic meal, that the Pilgrims and the Native Americans celebrated a few hundred years ago, 1621.

I remembered the smells of the turkey, or hen that we would have for the afternoon meal, and there would be some saved for the supper meal. Some folks, would spread a clean bedsheet, over the remnants of the afternoon meal, to keep the flys away, and from anything coming in contact with the supper meal, to be shared later by family and friends.

I remember, when still in Jr. High, and the first years of high school, that I would try to always check out Daniel Boone and/or others, of the time when the meals were brought about by hunting the woods and fields, bringing in the needed meat,whether fowl, deer,or other. I would be awakened early to the smells of the turkey, or hen cooking, the cornbread dressing, with onions, sage, and other spices. I would reach over and pick up the books and read about the hunters, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and others who helped make America the country that She is today!!!
They would be out in the woods, and have their flintlocks loaded with fresh powder and shot, making ready the shot needed to bring about the next meal. I would read on, and see the fireplace in the cabins, with the food cooking over the fire in pots, or other cookery. I could see Mrs. Boone, or Mrs. Crockett, stirring the pots, and making ready the meal, with the wild turkey, deer, and other cooked foods.

What memories I have now, of that time when Mother and Dad were alive, and the precious moments we had together as a family, including my brother,sister-in-law, and my nephew and neice. We invited God into the setting, and asked His blessings over the meal and the one who prepared the meal. Oh, could we have the moments back again. Thank God for Thanksgiving's Past and Present, and the future ones, too. I'm nearly 61 years old now, and my daughters are married. My brother is nearly 71 years old. Folks, enjoy the times, holidays, and any amount of time spent with your family and friends. There is no promise of tomorrow!!!!!!!

Jerry W. Watkins

It has been some years now that we have not had our mother with us. She made Thanksgiving special for all who gathered.

We always had somone new at out table and no person was ever turned away. Since her passing my children all have a recipe in which they learned to make from her.

It is a great time to reflect and join together. We laugh share stories and feast together.

JONI