More Turkey, Tony?

As the golden brown bird – carved up like last month’s jack-o-lantern – would take a rest from all the first helping activity, my family would await what had become a family tradition.  You see, my Grandfather was not a man of many words, so thankfully fate had stepped in as my Grandmother and the consequent Perlaki women have not suffered from that impediment.  Aunts and Uncles were spread around the main table, and myself with the cousins in the overflow room,  but our ears would remain perked to catch wind of that million dollar question.  I’ll set the scene…

Grandpa would have reached the point where he had finished everything on his plate, including the Turkey Neck as was the status quo.  Grandma would look over trying to evaluate if he had enough, because that belly that he would laughingly point at and claim he was pregnant had to be maintained, don’t you know. A hush would come over the table as she surveyed the plate that had inevitably been stroked clean by a dinner roll.  A stirring from deep within would produce the annual Thanksgiving inquiry, at a vigorous decibel since he was hard of hearing, “More Turkey, Tony?”

Once we heard the familiar ring of those words and saw his acquiescing nod while another serving with the fixin’s was being shoveled onto his plate, we knew that all was right in the world.  Some things never change, and indeed some things should not.  Time with family is a precious commodity, and I am grateful for all the Thanksgiving memories of yesteryear.

I join with Americans today in giving thanks.  There is so much to be grateful for, even way too many to blog.  Suffice it to say, I thank you for all things, Lord, my cup overflows.

Another one of the traditions that my brother, Paul, and I partake in annually is found below.  I hope you will enjoy Adam Sandler’s Turkey Song as much as we do!