Thanksgiving Traditions

They say if you do something special one time, well that's nice. But if you do something special more than one year in a row it becomes a tradition. Obviously in the Campbell family a big Thanksgiving dinner is tradition. However, there are other activities around this time of the year that have become somewhat of a tradition. Some have lasted a few years only to fade out and be replaced by new traditions. I can't say that in growing up I remember any special family traditions. When our family lived in the Springfield/Lebanon area many Thanksgiving meals were shared on the farm in Strafford. Certainly they were huge meals and many of the family was gathered together. However, huge meals and family gatherings took place throughout the year as well.
When we lived away from Missouri I remember Mom/Grandma Rita fixing a turkey. Seems like she was always up all night cooking it. It may have had something to do with the size of the bird. It seems like pecan and pumpkin pies were a tradition with pecan pies winning out (at least to me)
Since your Mom and I have been married I can think of several traditions that our family has had over the years. One tradition was going to see our family Christmas movie on the friday or saturday after thanksgiving. Some of the movies we have seen include; "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast", "Earnest Saves Christmas" and "Toy Story". As the kids have grown that tradition has somewhat faded with attempts made to rekindle the tradition. For a few years the weekend after thanksgiving began our Pageant season at FBC Raytown. Part of Pageant Prep was the first big rehearsal on sunday afternoon preceded by an Orchestra chili supper at our house.
Speaking of chili, how about some of our family food traditions at thanksgiving. Pecan and Toll House pies would certainly top my list - I bake them. Banana pudding is a tradition from Grandma Brown. We all keep that going but I know Susan has "taken" it to Atlanta and had plenty of practice. Brandy has taken it upon herself to acquaint us with "Brandy's bodacious bon-bons". We'll keep that one too. As part of a college class project Jennifer had to cook the thanksgiving turkey. We were not disappointed. I don't think Andrew is disappointed with any thanksgivng dish as long as there is ketchup around.
There is one "Thanksgiving story" that I remember my Dad telling. All of the Campbell family was at the farm for Thanksgving dinner. After dinner Dad and the other men decided to go hunting. Between all of them they only had one rifle. So they agreed that the one with the rifle would go to the bottom of the hill and the other men would start at the top of the hill "flushing" out any rabbits or other game toward the bottom of the hill. The hunt began only to end when one of the men, trying to scare out some game, killed a rabbit with a rock. The hunt ended with lots of laughter and a good story to tell and remember. Isn't that what traditions help us do? Remember the past and thank God for our blessings over a table of good food and good company. -30-