Old Time Thanksgiving

September 22 Prompt ▼

Prompt for: Sept 22, 2015 (fyn)<---but Ren did it
Subject or Theme: Write about any holiday or any holiday memory. Don't be boring.
Word(s) to Include: (I don't care, I have a migraine) (or any derivatives of these words)
Forbidden Word(s): (I don't care, I have a migraine) (or any derivatives of these words)
Additional Parameters: Don't give me a headache when I read it, oh wait, fyn is judging. Don't bore her. lol
Remember, do not use forbidden words ANYWHERE, including title or the brief description.

Old Time Thanksgiving

The air takes a chill as October fills our senses
Nights grow longer and the wood stove flares
Heat swirls around the collection of guests
As we gather around the old dining table
The youngest makes sure the oldest is not forgotten
Takes her by the hand and slowly they make their way
To their designated spots
The youngest to her mom's side;
The oldest to her daughter's side...
Four generations sit at this meal.

Heads bowed, a prayer is said to bless the food
And the family that has gathered safely.
Voices rise and fall amid the clatter
As food is passed and shared.
Youngest fills quickly and asks to be excused
Looking hopeful to her grandmother,
Avoiding her mother's gaze, she is granted the request
And slips below the table to sit among the feet and legs.
Here the conversation is muddled and distant,
Yet comforting.
The girl slips over to touch and tickle
Her grandmother's legs.
A kind hand moves to settle on the blond girl's head
And she leans her smile into the old woman's leg
There she stays, until movement signals the end of dinner.

When all the legs and feet disappear
The girl emerges and helps to carry
Only a few small items back to the kitchen
Mother's eye reminds her to be careful.

When the table is cleared and moved aside
The guitar and fiddle find their way
Into the skills hands of Uncle Alec and Uncle Jessie
We gather in the chairs and the little girl crawls
Up into her grandmother's loving lap
There amid the clapping and singing,
Smiles and laughter warm the front room.

No one wants to leave, but soon tired eyes
Let others know it is time to make the trip home
Some return to town, other's stay at the farm
Still others make the long trek to their own homes.
Thanksgiving is over for another year.

41 Lines



Author’s Note:
I am the little blond girl – about 4 or 5.
The oldest is my Grandma Grandma – she is my Grandmother’s mother. She was at least 95.