Mom's in the Kitchen

I was talking to my mom the other day and telling her that although I am 'revolting' from the traditional Thanksgiving feast, that it in NO WAY reflects any harbored childhood ill will toward the holiday. On the contrary, I have many WONDERFUL memories of Thanksgiving Day. Particularly, Thanksgiving morning.

Two of my favorite things: Snuggling in a blanket to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and helping my mom in the kitchen all morning as my hunger intensified with every passing hour. The bird smelling so delicious, the stuffing being just 'perfect', the mashed potato bowl heaping with its mountainous goodness of creamy, buttery, smooth, mashed potatoes. The cranberry and marshmallow salad, pistachio pudding salad, fruit cocktail and cool whip salad. The rolls! The fruit pie that my mother always had since she catered to my 'anti-pumpkin pie' tastes. The plentiful mounds of cool whip on anything sweet. Oh, the food of Thanksgiving was great! It's interesting how my tastes have changed yet again, because all that isn't quite as appealing to me anymore, but the opportunity to be with family and friends is welcomed.

I'm thankful for my family, my friends and for my opportunity to love and be loved. I'm thankful to my mom for all the hours she puts into making Thanksgiving Day a beautiful occasion in her home. Mom, you are one AWESOME cook and I'm glad I learned under your tutelage. Thanks for building a solid foundation of the love of good holiday food. I look forward to cooking with you when you come down in just a few short weeks! I love you, Mom!

For all you readers, you can quit reading here if you'd like the rest of this post will be specifically dedicated to my mother. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mom, I've always tried to show my gratitude to you for all that you've done for me; however, this day I want to take moment to remind you just how thankful I am to have you for my mom. For 6 1/2 months you carried me within your angel body and when I threatened to come too early you and dad fought to make conditions optimal for my survival. Driving four agonizing hours through the snowy mountain pass to get to the Valley where neonatal facilities could give your unborn baby a chance. You suffered the fear and pain of those few days of bleeding, an emergency Cesarean, the weeks of recovery, and the months of separation from me. Your first Christmas without me home must have had a tinge of sadness. Having never been a mother I can't begin to know the worry and sorrow as you prayed, pleaded with the Lord to let your baby live. Live I did and I thank you and Dad for all that you gave, all that you sacrificed, and all that you endured to nurture, care for, and raise me. You truly are my hero. You are the wind beneath my wings. Thank you for your unconditional love which I KNOW I didn't deserve during my teenage and early adult years. Thank you for your love, friendship, and motherly heart and all that comes forth from these emotions. If I can be half the mother you were to each of your six children I will be a great mother. You, like your mother before you, epitomize the verse in Proverbs 31:27, "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." You have always taught me by example to be a hard worker and to take pride in my work, doing my best. You can stand tall my dear mother knowing too that you are deserving of the praise found in verse 28, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." I know that Heavenly Father has blessed you in countless ways and if you should need a witness to testify on behalf of your goodness and dedication that I will stand and boldly declare that I KNOW you were all a mother should be and more. I doubt the Lord will have need of my voice for "[your] own works [will] praise [you] in the the gates" (verse 31, emphasis added). Mom, I am so thankful for the privilege I was given to be your daughter. You are now forever my friend. All my love, hugs and a kiss. Your Daughter, "Tootsie"