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November 13, 2011

Reflections: Please pass the gravy

By ED HUNGNESS Local columnist

Looking ahead on my calendar isn't required to be reminded that the holidays are fast approaching.

Last month, while shopping, I saw Halloween costumes, pumpkin napkins, mountains of candy corn and huge displays of miniature candy bars that looked like they had been on a diet. Whatever happened to full-size candy bars?

After resisting the sweet temptations, I continued to the next aisle only to be greeted by a display of Thanksgiving decorations. To my amazement, in aisle No. 3 I discovered Christmas food gifts, Christmas cards and decorations galore.

I know the "early bird gets the worm" theory of retailing, but somehow it dilutes the feeling of joy one gets in anticipation of the holidays. I am a strong believer in a free enterprise economy, but to me the holidays are so much more than a marketing gimmick.

My age may be showing, but all the hoopla makes me long for the good old days.

Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving. My memories of Thanksgiving don't include a cardboard turkey with an orange crepe paper tail that pops out when unfolded. At the end of the day, I probably won't sit by the fireplace and muse over the big platter with raised images of pumpkins and gourds or the turkey-shaped gravy boat that always dripped on the tablecloth.

Instead, I will remember family, friends and the good food enjoyed by all.

Thanksgiving is a holiday to celebrate and to be thankful for the blessings that we enjoy. The blessings are not necessarily material things. Memorable Thanksgivings often include thoughts of relatives who can no longer join us for a family meal.

I remember Mom and Grandma laboring in the kitchen, as they put all their love into the preparation of the feast. The wonderful combination of smells drifted throughout our home and made our tummies growl in anticipation of fresh-baked pumpkin pies cooling on the kitchen table. I always tried to "test" a small slice, but Mom kept a watchful eye out for kitchen intruders. A glass baking dish filled with Jell-O and chunks of apple and chopped nuts was placed on the back porch to stay cool.

When we who were banished to the living room heard the sound of the electric Mixmaster whipping the mashed potatoes, we knew dinner was getting close. Mom waited to mash the potatoes last so that they would be hot when served. Curious about the progress of preparation, I peeked into the kitchen and saw the steaming hot, well-browned turkey "resting" in the roasting pan on top of the stove. I never understood why the main attraction of our Thanksgiving dinner needed to rest.

The blessing was given, and the next 15 minutes at the dinner table were spent passing food-laden dishes. To make the meal complete, someone needed to spill their milk or red wine on the tablecloth.

There was plenty of everything, and we were thankful for the bounty and the friends and the relatives who joined us.

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving this year. Now, please pass the gravy!

Ed Hungness and his wife became full-time residents of Fife Lake in 2005 after Ed's retirement. He can be reached at edhungness@yahoo.com or by mail at P.O. Box 57, Fife Lake, MI 49633.

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