Ten years ago, my now good friend, Edith and I shared our first Thanksgiving together. There were many laughs, a few tears, and tons (and I mean tons) of good food that we prepared together.

Ten years ago Edith and I were both at a very low spot in our lives. We met, became almost instant friends, and decided that no matter what life throws at us, we would prosper. Ten years ago we both were at a shelter for domestic violence.

That first Thanksgiving together was crazy! The shelter people had bought us all this food, but nobody wanted to do anything with it. I don’t remember who convinced whom, but somehow we were going to cook this dinner together. Edith and I. We were going to attempt a normal Thanksgiving feast no matter what our circumstances.

We stayed up all night cooking…

I mean we went all out. We were really doing it for us, and our children, but at the same time we were hoping some of the other girls and their families would love it. Love our tried tempt at normality. Love that no matter where your at, there’s so much to be thankful for. Love that when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. Didn’t happen.

We still had so much fun! The craziness that happens when your attempting your first pie pastry at three in the morning is unforgettable still to this day.

Thanksgiving arrived and we were thoroughly exhausted, yet still so very hopeful. The aroma of all the good food brought some of the girls down, and our bantering brought a few more. They grudgingly sat down at our tables decorated with hand traced turkeys, but at least for a moment, they seemed like they were willing to give it a try.

“Let’s all say something we’re thankful for”……silence
“Who would like to say the blessing?”…..silence

We were going nowhere fast. So we decided to just eat, well until it came time to pass the stuffing. In one of the magazines we flipped through in coming up with ideas and recipes they put apples in the stuffing, and both of us being Martha Stewart wannabes, did also. Oh my goodness! We had no idea that was a mortal Thanksgiving don’t - you don’t put apples in stuffing. Who knew?

To this day “but, but, them there are apples, apples in the stuffing!” can put the other in a fit of giggles. Well, at least we tried, and did have a ton of fun in the process.

Ten years have now passed, and neither one of us is that same women we were ten years ago. Thankfully. Life has not always been the grand affair we imagined, but together we have never looked back, and have attempted to always move forward. We have shared many highs and many lows. New jobs and job losses. Births and deaths. New cars and old cars finally going kaput. We both re-married, she’s now divorced and I’m separated. We have definitely run the gamut - together.

It’s been ten crazy years and this year we are spending Thanksgiving - together! Full circle, not quite :) but I’m sure once again there will be much laughter and maybe even a few tears. That’s what we do, laugh till we cry :)

I’m so blessed in so many ways but I’m especially blessed when it comes to good friends (and you know who you are), and this I’m truly thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s hoping you all have a wonderful holiday feast with your friends, family, and loved ones.

Edith and I, still being Martha Stewart wannabes, will be putting apples in the stuffing, but are using pecans instead of chestnuts. It’s a good thing :)

Posted in Spew, Life on Nov 22nd, 2007