Holidays haven’t been the same for me since last year. When my mother walked that stairway to heaven, I didn’t feel that there was much to celebrate. Those days that were supposed to be joyous occasions had turned into normal days which I didn’t have to go to work on…and here comes Thanksgiving again.
I guess I have a lot to be thankful for. I have my health, a job, the rest of my family, and friends. However, until you can honestly feel what I feel you’ll never know the emptiness inside but I guess life goes on.
Anyhow, I’m from a southern family and for Thanksgiving that means “we cooks and we eats”. Without Big Mama leading the preparations, we are left to fend for ourselves. What’s funny is that when you are not usually the one who makes the dishes and people have certain items on their wish lists, you’re in a tough situation.
In regards to food, I don’t know how you were raised but cooking wise, my mom was no joke. Her dishes were unique even when she attempted to copy someone else’s recipe. I guess that what it means when they say people “put a little love” in their foods.
Mom was the best but she took her recipes to the grave with her. Whatever my family can remember is what we have left and trust me; it is no easy task to fill mom’s shoes. I think each of us recall our favorite dishes and with that we know how to get as close as possible. So, that’s how we plan it. Whatever we can make her way is what we expect from each other. Then it’s a taste test before it is served to the rest of the family. There are a few close replicas. It is rare but family outside of the immediate have made maybe one dish that tasted like one of hers; never anything better though. Sorry!
So, for this Thanksgiving and any in the future, mom will always be at the top of the table blessing the food. We put her love in each dish; like food to the soul.
4 comments
Kevin says:
Nov 21, 2012
Nice job June! I’m sorry to hear about your Mom and can’t begin to think about holidays without her, even this Thanksgiving she and I my dad are away from us and I’m like, “Who’s going to step up when it comes to preparation?”. It’s always she and my wife. I’ll be so lost!
I love this song, and everytime my mom hears this song she wells up. My three brothers and I took her to see Boyz II Men in July for her birthday. They sang “Mama” and the three of us all took a turn swaying and singing with my mom (maybe shedding some tears as well). It’s a moment she’ll never forget and we’ll never forget. We even were fortunate to meet them afterwards and she had to tell Shawn, Wanya and Nathan how much she loved that song.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Duan says:
Nov 21, 2012
Really nice piece June.
Tahisha says:
Nov 21, 2012
Well said Juney 🙂 Reminds me of my grandmother’s 30 day fruit cake that actually took 30 days to make. No one else in the family dares to make it. I’m so mad no one thought to get the recipe/instructions before her passing (97). That was the BEST fruit cake ever. My sister and I got smart. We started writing down recipes from my mom and aunties because they all have a specialty dish that we want to be able to replicate and pass on from generation to generation. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and enjoy!!!
JUNE. says:
Nov 21, 2012
Thanks guys. She’s still with us even though she’s moved on. Happy Thanksgiving!