Trudi's Twist on Thanksgiving
By Trudi Trueit - October 27, 2009
In the early years of my marriage, I was working 50+ hours a week as a television news reporter in a little town in Eastern Washington far from family. I loved it! But the hectic pace of my low-paying job left me with little time and money to prepare a Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings for my husband. After a long shift on Thanksgiving Day, I made a quick stop at the grocery store and did the best I could. That year, Bill and I had Thanksgiving lasagna, which I was certain branded me as the worst new wife in America.
Fast forward 24 years and Bill says to me with a smile, "Remember that time when we were first married and you made lasagna for Thanksgiving? That was the best. Can we do that again?" I remind him that we have family coming over and I don't think they'd appreciate a Thanksgiving pasta. But I am glad he says it. Maybe I am not the worst wife ...
Our little twist on Thanksgiving made me realize that some traditions are steeped in history, while others come about purely by accident. Either way, it's okay. How do your family traditions bring you closer? If you can answer that question, you're good.
So as you're rushing around this Thanksgiving (as I am apt to be), remember the holiday isn't about the whether the turkey is perfectly cooked or the table is properly set or all of your relatives get along (ugh). It's about giving to the ones we love, and the gift itself is of little importance. It can be a five course meal or Trudi's five layer lasagna, which, by the way, I have decided to make this year along with a turkey.
Just to see that smile on Bill's face again is reason enough.
