The First Thanksgiving

Holidays are all about tradition. Each of us expects a particular pie, side dish, or stuffing to adorn the table on Thanksgiving. Christmas often means special desserts or cookies, and even Independence Day is associated with family cook outs at the lake. Over the years, these traditions make up the fabric of who we are and how we identify ourselves as do the memories of holiday dinners past and loved ones - nearby and far away, present and departed.

The first Thanksgiving Jeff and I spent together was part of a larger gathering at a school superintendent's home in Kingman, Arizona. It was the second year I'd spent the holiday some 2,000 miles from the mountains of East Tennessee, and the first year Jeff wasn't with his family. In retrospect, I'm pretty sure he would have just hopped into the car and driven the four hours from Kingman to Mesa if I hadn't asked him to accompany me to the boss's dinner. (I guess even then he was my best friend.) I don't remember much about the meal, - I'm sure it was a traditional turkey with all the trimmings - but I do remember the feelings associated with the day.

The night before I had lost a beloved pet to cancer, and I wasn't sure I wanted to see anyone at all. To make matters worse, I showed up with a bottle of wine for the celebration only to learn that my hosts didn't drink. Despite these difficulties, though, Jeff and I had a good time. The table was crowded with family members and a few other teachers who were far from home. The conversation was lively - filled with jokes and laughter, stories of kindness and faith, talk of the traditions we had grown up with.

That Thanksgiving was filled with a spirit of companionship and sharing. Over the years, Jeff and I have had small dinners that barely qualify as a Thanksgiving meal and feasts with dishes of every variety covering the table. No matter where we are or what we eat, though, I am always reminded of our first Thanksgiving together, and I'm truly thankful we found each other. These memories have become part of my tradition, and each year I reflect on how they have made me who I am today.