Sunday evening before Thanksgiving

My, how things change yet they stay the same, don't they?

Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday...moreso than Christmas.  I like Christmas, don't get me wrong, but there is just something about Thanksgiving that I really really like.

Thanksgiving is the time when family gets together.  When we moved to Mt. Vernon, it was the first weekend since summer that we could spend more than just a quick weekend in Ohio visiting the grandparents and other relatives.  Then when I was at ISU, it was the weekend that I could relax a bit from studying and enjoy some free time.  When I started to teach, there were two Thanksgivings when I left after school on Wednesday, drove to Wooster, then drove the next day to Grandma's for the big family dinner.  Shopping with Greta was always the norm for Friday (before it became Black Friday).  When I met Gary, things changed once again.  Thanksgiving 1975 was the first time I met Uncle Jim and Aunt Catherine, Aunt Katie, and I got to know Auntie Ann and Uncle Bud more.  It was also the first holiday I had spent away from MY family plus there was a blizzard that morning which scared me because I thought I would spend my favorite holiday alone!

Over the years with the girls growing up we always spent the night before Thanksgiving cooking and baking.  The next day we watched the Macys Parade before heading to The Farm for the big family dinner.  In 2006 Gary and I hosted our first Siemens Family Thanksgiving at our house, changing it up a bit to a sit-down dinner.  One year Mike, Angie, and Nick went to NYC, one year we went to Disney World, and last year I had pneumonia. Otherwise we have all been together for the big feast.

This year things have changed once again.  Since Leo  died on March 31 and Agnes on November 10, our plans have taken a different direction.  For probably the last time we will gather at The Farm for the noon meal.  Our menu will once again include goulash, which for me is NOT Thanksgiving fare, but for the Siemens clan is a classic dish for every holiday.  Amy and Sarah will clean (with my supervision) on Tuesday. Mike, Angie, and Nick with arrive from Kansas on Wednesday evening.  Nineteen of us (Blaine has to work) will be at the house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Agnes won't be making deviled eggs or pumpkin pies or bringing the relish tray.  Leo won't be in the kitchen checking out the food well before the time of the meal.  Agnes won't be bustling around the kitchen, supervising.

Other things will change also.  Tables will be set up in the living room so we can all eat together.   Instead of the ladies receiving new identical ornaments from me, we will look at the box of ornaments from the family tree and each take a few to decorate our own.  

Even though we will try to make Thanksgiving the great holiday that it is, there will be a void that can't be filled.  Holidays are hard after a death in the family.  This one will be especially difficult after losing both Mom and Dad, and losing Mom so recently makes the hurt more intense.

Many memories from Thanksgivings past. More memories to make with Thanksgiving present.

We can do this.