November 24, 2010

A Thanksgiving Memory


Although it looks similar to the log cabin of my childhood  this one is actually located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.


My two sisters and I were excited about the first Thanksgiving at our own home after spending 6 years in a nearby orphanage following our mother's death.  We had a fire going in the fireplace in the log cabin and elder Sister Wilma was busy preparing dinner and shouting orders for us to help.  

We couldn't afford a turkey but the fattest chicken in the barnyard and a smoked ham , sweet potatoes , green beans, corn and fluffy buttermilk biscuits made a "gracious " plenty as we say in the deep South. 

As we gathered to eat the bounty of the earth my father had worked so hard to produce on that red Alabama clay,  we gave thanks that we had a roof over our head and food on the table.  We prayed for our brother Cecil , a soldier in the Korean war , and asked God to return him safely to us.

We were but poor farmers and knew that others in our town had much more material wealth than us but we felt rich with the simple blessings of good health, food and faith in God and family. 

I think of that Thanksgiving long ago as I gather with my own children and family.  There's a big fat turkey with all the trimmings but nothing will ever taste as good to me as that simple meal at our first Thanksgiving together as a family on that hilltop cabin in rural Alabama.

9 comments:

  1. Carolyn, I too grew up without much in a material way, but we always had enough to eat and a roof over our heads. There is much to be thankful for!

    Eileen

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  2. Carolyn, that is such a sweet story and memory. The simple blessings are the best...

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  3. This is a heart breaking and joyous story at the same time. Precious, rich memories. The fragrance and chatter in the cabin must have been delicious. Have a lovely, love-filled Thanksgiving Carolyn.

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  4. Your post is inspiring and so well written. I really enjoyed imagining your family having Thanksgiving dinner in that cabin. Wonderful!!

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  5. Very beautiful memories.
    I hope you have the best thanksgiving ever!

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  6. Thank you for your poignant post today, Caroline. We have so much for which to be thankful. And I'm sure you've enjoyed sharing Thanksgiving with your family today.

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  7. What a wonderful memory, Carolyn Gail! And it's a great reminder this season that the simple joys of life are usually the most meaningful ones.

    I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  8. I didn't realize your mother had died and you spent time in an orphanage. Was it your real dad you were reunited with, or were you adopted?

    We didn't have much when I was a girl, either, but more than my parents had when they were growing up.

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  9. Thank you all for visiting today. To answer Sue's question it was my real dad that we went home to. He was a farmer left with 4 young children that he wasn't able to manage by himself which is why we stayed in the orphanage until we were able to help out on the farm.

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