Passing of Thanksgiving torch

There are few holidays that rank up with the level of esteem and importance in my book as Thanksgiving.

In the lineup for the entire year, in my opinion, it might be the top dog. Sure, you’ve got close contenders and runners up with Christmas and Easter. From a Christian standpoint, I suppose Easter is technically the most important as it is the pinnacle of what we believe as Christians, but in terms of traditions, food, and quite frankly, the overall physical undertaking, I think Thanksgiving is the top holiday. I feel like even Jesus would have to agree with me on this.

Trust me, I’ve hosted all of them at some point in time and I say with confidence that if you’re hosting Thanksgiving, you better have the energy for it and put your whole heart into it. Otherwise, just don’t even bother. And on that note, you better be hosting it for people you are happy to serve and enjoy their company, because it is truly a labor of love.

In fact, the only reason I’m willing to take on Thanksgiving this year is because I’m humbled and honored that we were asked to do so in the first place. For years, since before I was even born, my mom has hosted Thanksgiving. This tradition dates to my parents’ first Thanksgiving together and has carried on for 40 years. My mom has paid her Thanksgiving dues and served up many wonderful Thanksgiving meals my entire life.

My mom doesn’t phone in anything when it comes to Thanksgiving. She has always had the most beautiful table, a delicious spread, the perfect plates and platters, and a warmth that came from a true love of the holiday and the people around the table.

As a little girl, it was always my favorite holiday. I remember all of the empty bowls and plates all over our counter and kitchen island with notes labeling what was going where. I remember my mom getting the table ready. I remember the fall decorations. I remember the turkey plates that once belonged to my mom’s MeMaw, my great-grandmother. I remember everyone being tasked with a special contribution for the meal.

I remember my grandfather always showing up earlier than my mom’s requested arrival time and everyone scrambling to finish getting dressed and not act like he showed up early for the meal that requires every minute you can squeeze prior to your guests arriving. He would come with pies and oftentimes begin eating a slice before the meal had even been served. I remember telling my mom he would be there, and she would literally think I was joking because it wasn’t possible he showed up an hour before the requested time … AGAIN. He would come early, eat the pie, and leave abruptly after the meal when everyone was visiting, saying he had to go home and feed the chickens. It should be noted that he did not own any chickens.

As a kid, I didn’t really get the big deal, but now I laugh because I realize it was just another thing in the mix that made Thanksgiving memorable.

I remember the smell of the entire house. I remember watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade with my dad and sister while enjoying donuts. I remember thinking as a kid, why can’t mom sit down and watch the parade with us? Now, I absolutely cringe as an adult and think SHE WAS HOSTING THANKSGIVING at 1:00 p.m. that day!!! SHE DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO SIT!!!!!!!

After this last Thanksgiving, my mom approached my husband and I and asked if we would want to host it ourselves. She expressed how much she’s loved doing it over the years, but that it is a big undertaking and she’s ready to pass the torch onto us if we were up for it. We told her that we would love to do it and I’m glad to be the one to take the load from my mom.

We did have one caveat to hosting. My mom is a traditionalist when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations. She has always taken a hard stance in her house on no Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving. My husband and I could not be more different. We put up our decorations early and have a tree up by mid-November with Christmas music. I told my mom that if we host, she’s going to have to accept the fact there will be a Christmas tree up in the corner and quite possibly Christmas music playing. And I cannot rule out my entire Christmas village being lit for our Thanksgiving this year. In fact, I’ve encouraged her many times over the years to do the same, but she has never budged. I will do right by her, but she knows to be prepared for a slice of smoked turkey with some Bing Crosby and a lit tree.

I have so many fond memories of Thanksgiving as a little girl. I met my husband 14 years ago, and he’s added so much to our family’s menu. He brought with him his grandmother’s homemade noodle recipe and has also taken over smoking the turkey the last couple of years. He makes two different types of homemade cranberries, garlic mashed potatoes, homemade pumpkin pie – even his own crust and roasted pumpkin, gravy from the turkey drippings, and mulled wine.

We have a full spread ready to go and are grateful enough to have people we love around the table. The decorations will be thoughtfully placed, accented with fall flowers, a decorated mantle, and enough wine to serve the city of Fishers. The torch has been passed and I just hope we do right by my mom this Thanksgiving.

It’s her turn to sit and enjoy the parade and donuts while everyone else does the heavy lifting. It’s her turn to sit at the table and look around at everyone and enjoy the food and company without worrying about when to pull something out of the oven or if the turkey is dry. I want her to sit at a pretty table and enjoy a meal made with love on her grandmother’s plate and be grateful she has so many people who love her.

And now it’s our turn to carry the torch. It’s time for our children to learn what goes into hosting a Thanksgiving meal. It’s our turn to do the work and my mom’s turn to sit and take it in.

Thanks, Mom, for all the Thanksgivings you put on for all of us. I’m sorry I always sat and watched the parade eating donuts instead of helping you. I feel like I will be making reparations on that now for years to come. It’s our turn now to carry the load and I’m grateful for it and hope it is as nice as yours. We love you very much. I also don’t care if you don’t like my Christmas tree up in November.

Megan Rathz is a wife, mother, and teacher. She says everything she has ever learned in life came from her Master Gardener mother.