Thanksgving

Well this is the week. On Thursday I will gather with a very large group of Jim's family members and celebrate this wonderful holiday. This is something that his mother's side of the family has been doing for a lot of years. The hall in Lesterville, SD is reserved and that is where (depending on the year) roughly 100-120 family members gather to give thanks and reconnect with each other. The first time I went I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of individuals milling around greeting each other, laughing and talking all at once. Before the meal begins, the whole group gathers in one large circle with each family unit standing next to each other. We then start at 1 and go around the circle until every member is counted. Those who are not present at roll call but will be in later that day are also counted. After roll call is taken then we hold hands and sing the Lord's Prayer (it is a Catholic gathering) and then a Thanksgiving prayer is said thanking the Lord for the blessings of this year and remembering those who can't be here and those here in spirit. After that is done the eating begins.

I could do pages and pages recounting all of the wonderful stuff there is to eat. Yes, we have the turkey(s) and mashed potatoes and dressing (Let's just say it's not Stove Top Stuffing) and ham too. As you can imagine, this is a potluck affair so there is a multitude of items set out for all to enjoy. Usually I do a green bean casserole and Jim does the sweet potatoes with marshmallows. I've also been known to contribute a dessert or two, but not pumpkin pie..they have quite a few pie makers in the family. Because this is the Czech/German side of the family there are koliches (tasty pastries) to eat and dumplings too and a big dish of sauerkraut to put on the mashed potatoes (oh, I LOVE that). Those that don't do much in the way of food usually bring the beverages. I'm still amazed that for all the alcohol setting out, no one gets plastered and very few kids sneak a drink. There is of course tons of pop and juice drinks for the non-drinkers.

After stuffing ourselves silly, the fun begins. Usually the kids play some version of tag or hide and seek, If the weather isn't too cold or the outside too muddy then a football game of some sort takes place along with any other outside type game that kids might like to play. For those inside, there is the annual Trivial Pursuit game or some sort of card game. I think we have photos of one of our children sitting on a lap learning how to play poker. For the past few years we have brought the Sioux Falls paper with us and let individuals look over the ads. Just in case someone is still hungry, there are a few big bowls of chex mix both sweet and salty to snack on along with any veggies left over on the relish trays. Did I mention we have lots of food? This is the time photos are shared and babies admired and exciting news is announced. For quite a few years hubby and I were the subject of much ribbing as to when we would announce our engagement. We did announce one pregnancy (Carolyn) at this event and Andrew was only a few weeks old when he made his debut. I still laugh at how we set the carseat with a sleeping Andrew down on a table in front of my Mother-in-law asking her to watch over him for a few minutes while we got the coats off the other 2 kids and the food over to the serving area. When we returned a few minutes later he was being shown off as the newest grandchild and youngest participant. It seems we add new members every year.

As the afternoon wears down and the leftovers are again warmed up for anyone wanting another meal people start to trickle out. Soon there are only a handful left and they finish the job started by the early comers and wash the dishes, put the tables and chairs away, and clean the floor. Good-byes are said and the lights go out. Another year will have passed. Oh what fun and exciting memories. I can hardly wait.