22 November 2017

Fathers and Eves

Every year on this day, I always think of how - also every year on this day - I would say to my father, "Why is today not Thanksgiving Eve?"  And he would always respond with some version of, "Well, technically it is, but people just don't call it that."  I seldom asked this of my mother, since her response was *always* "Oh for God's sake!" and she seemed annoyed, so I just figured it was better to get an actual answer from my father.

And that was always the first of about a million questions I would have for my dad while I "helped" him fix Thanksgiving dinner.  He was always the cook on holidays, which we loved because although he would use every pan and bowl, etc. in the kitchen, he was a really good cook.  He would begin the night before, cleaning the turkey and starting the stuffing.  My sisters were enough older that they had their own things they liked to do, but nope, I was always available to spend time with my dad.  I'm 99.9999999% sure that I spent most of the time talking, asking "important" questions, and generally making him wish he was out of town, but to his credit, he always let me stick around and in the end, I learned a LOT.  (So much so, that when I still lived at home and my sisters were married and living in other places, they would call me to find out how to cook a turkey- ha!)

But I have to tell you that as a kid, I really gave way to much thought to "eves."  I guess because Christmas got an Eve, and so did New Year's, and those were big deals.  I tried to make Thanksgiving Eve and Birthday Eve happen but to no avail.  Easter doesn't need an Eve, because it has Holy Saturday.  As I got older, I realized that no one a) cared as much as I did about it, and b) that they also didn't want to hear me go on about it.  Go figure.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving Eve.  Make it a good one.  :-)


9 comments:

Kym said...

Oh, Bridget! I just love this story! XO
I, also, used to wonder about Thanksgiving "Eve" -- and my sister and I used to secretly celebrate Christmas Eve "Eve." (Actually, we still do wish each other Christmas Eve Eve on December 23 every year.)
Enjoy every moment of Thanksgiving EVE!!!

Araignee said...

I am a big believer in Thanksgiving Eve myself. I was so happy when the school systems recognized the need for it and gave teachers off on Wednesday. It made such a big difference in the celebration. Believe it or not my mom would cook the giant stuffed turkey on low all day long on Wednesday and then turn it off and leave it in the oven overnight for Thanksgiving dinner. Why we didn't die from food poisoning I'll never know.

Patty said...

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! And I like your birthday eve idea! There is always time for another celebration!

Tired Teacher said...

Another great post!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve.

Bonny said...

I always think of today as Thanksgiving Eve, but my celebration is a little more personal and low-key than most other "eves". I sing and dance in the kitchen while preparing, revel in the tastes and delicious smells I'm creating for those I'm feeding, and toast myself with a glass of wine when pies, rolls, and stuffing are done, and the kitchen is cleaned up and readied for the rest of the cooking tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving Eve to you and yours!

Anonymous said...

Well, I WOULD wish you a happy Thanksgiving EVE, but seeing as it is after midnight now....


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Mereknits said...

I love this story. And if it helps, my Mom was a , "Oh, for God's sake." person, too. Always said with crisp annoyance.

Nance said...

What a nice memory of your dad.

AsKatKnits said...

I love the idea of Thanksgiving Eve. And, I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful!