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Thanksgiving Day brings many of us back to a time when we were very young and made hand/finger “turkey” drawings on construction paper, coloring the “feathers” with crayons, paint or markers in a variety of colors, mostly brown, orange, red, yellow, green and even blue and pink. Oh well … we had fun, and in our eyes, our gobble-gobble renditions were pretty good! Then our teacher would let us tape our papers up on the wall around the classroom or attach them to a makeshift clothesline with wooden clothespins. Our artwork was far from a Leonardo da Vinci or Vincent van Gogh masterpiece, but to us kids, it was good enough to claim as our own.

As we got older, sometimes we would dress up in Pilgrim and Native American Indian costumes and perform skits decorating the table with dry, brittle crackly corn stalks, bales of hay and props that were not edible, but heck – they served the purpose! Then school would dismiss for Thanksgiving Day and that Friday so we would have four days to enjoy the holiday with our family and friends. It was great growing up coming to understand that no matter the differences people had, no matter the color of their skin, or how they dressed, we could get along, create new friendships and offer help to each other. We learned about tearing down the walls of difference, caring about others, sharing and achieving what previously seemed impossible … it was a very good thing. We learned a lesson that, pink “feathers” and all, influenced a better adult world still ahead of us.

As years passed and we grew older we helped our parents shop and gather preparations for our special Thanksgiving dinner. And Mama? She’d wash the bird, start baking early until the house permeated with that distinct fragrance of tradition; she’d boil the giblets, add the bulk of the savory juice into the stuffing, saving some for the gravy; fix the yam casserole with butter, brown sugar and mini-marshmallows; convert the raw white potatoes into creamy mashed potatoes served with a dollop of butter that melted in the middle like a raft in a swimming pool of pale yellow; add the green bean casserole with crunchy fried onions on the top; the deviled eggs sprinkled with paprika; the jellied cranberries; pickles, celery with cream cheese and olives were arranged just right on a holiday tray; a bowl of  fresh collards after the frost had rested on them at least once; freshly baked yeast rolls piled in a basket; sweet and unsweet tea, wine if desired, and, of course, extra side dishes depending on our company count. Then pecan, pumpkin, sweet potato and apple pies with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream chilled until we were ready. Oh yes, and mincemeat pie, too (UGH! YUCK!), sometimes orange pineapple coconut cake or fruit cake sat to the side if anyone still had room for it later with fresh hot coffee. It was always a meal spent all day cooking where the word “carbohydrate” was off limits, and we would laugh and talk about happy, fun times anticipating our most favorite time of the year – Christmas! The meal prep early morning depending on the size of the turkey kept Mama and us kids busy on our feet until it was time to sit down, eat and share, then in no time it was over and everybody either still nibbled a little or got up to start clearing the dishes and putting leftovers in the fridge. A lengthy meal prep from early morning, a delicious 30- to 45-minute sit-down meal, full tummies and beautiful memories and so, so worth it!

In our family, growing up and even now with families of our own, we have a tradition of everyone at the table saying what they are thankful for. Some share a sentence or two, some list their blessings and then some begin and keep going and going, but so what? Why not? We do have countless blessings, don’t we?

Each morning, when I talk to the Lord, I thank Him for what He has done in my life; for the miracles He has blessed me with and for so many wonderful things, knowing He is the only one who can do what He does. He lifts us up and holds us down, pushes us forward and pulls us back. Oftentimes He heals us up off a sick bed, a hurt bed and a broken hearted bed if it’s His will. He sends Angels to comfort us when we’re worried, fearful, anxious and at times when we have felt broken. I thank Him for bringing my sweet Billy home from Vietnam, for saving me out of a terrible accident just before graduation, and for bringing Billy and I together literally “out of the blue” when neither of us expected it. God had a plan and I am so thankful for it. Each morning in my prayer time, I thank Him for all He has done in my life starting with He, Mama and Daddy creating me and those I love so much. Tears roll down my cheeks because His goodness is overwhelming, and His mercy is great, and even if the prayers I prayed were not all answered as I had hoped, I give Him glory. He has gotten me through a broken heart, especially losing Billy, Mama, Daddy and my sweet Little Pepper. He blessed me with a Christian man, a brave patriotic soldier, a warrior for good and through that love and devotion to each other, He blessed us with two beautiful babies – Bill and Bonnie – a mother and father’s dream come true; then four precious, bright, good looking, kind, talented and loving grandchildren – two boys, two girls – that we adore.

Especially as a “baby boomer” and with all the changes we’ve seen in the world in recent years, my prayers are longer than ever these days, thankful for God’s creation of the world, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit and for each of us, unique from every single other human being who breathes. Miracles surround us; some we think about often, some we unintentionally take for granted. Our family and friends near and far are at the top of the list for the love between all of us for each other and I pray for God’s blessings on each one.

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024, those of us who have experienced a loving home, warm hugs and a table laden with abundant food should be mindful of those who have not; those who lived in homes that didn’t or couldn’t create the warm, fuzzy memories and recollections that most of us have.

We are blessed beyond measure, folks. Hopefully we will let the blessings that surround us at our Thanksgiving table really soak in and encourage us to pray to be better people, consider the hardships of others; find ways to comfort and help those who are ill; those who have lost loved ones, and suffered through floods and other catastrophes. We are Americans – we are known for being the kindest, most compassionate country in this great big world.

And speaking of gratitude, thank you Rick (veteran) at Manteo First Assembly who mentors our young boys/teens in the Royal Ranger ministry. He and the boys very respectfully honored our fallen at the P.O.W./M.I.A. Missing Man Table ceremony to remind us of those who have served our great country but never came home. It was beautifully done and each of the young men who participated showed discipline and respect with each move to set the table. At the end, TAPS sounded and it was the perfect close to that poignant reminder to all of us. I am so proud of you, Rick, the Royal Rangers and of any who assisted with that presentation. Billy would have loved it.

For every single person who created events to celebrate our veterans during Veteran’s Week, I thank you very sincerely. Thank you, Leroy, a veteran in Columbia who always has the back of his “brothers and sisters;” Charlie (veteran) and Sally, I think often about your pride in our military and our U.S. flag; Don (veteran) in  Currituck, thank you for your attention to Currituck/Camden veterans; Gene, another veteran west of us who loves this country and all who have served to protect it; Ed (veteran), your sweet potato biscuits were so thoughtful, delicious and blessed my heart … thank you to everybody who does anything for anybody out of the kindness of your heart and for the respect for your brothers’ and sisters’ sacrifice. There are so many of you that I have come to know and love so much!

Update:

A veteran service officer (V.S.O.) to serve Currituck and Camden counties is now on duty! His name is Robert Cain, and he is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. Two locations are established for him to meet with veterans and their families: in Currituck at the Historic Courthouse and in Camden the Camden County Library. To contact him for an appointment, dial 252-435-4593 or email: robert.cain@currituckcountync.gov. Congratulations to the commissioners for establishing Mr. Cain, who will provide the very deserving veterans in those counties with a V.S.O. to serve their needs!

Dare County’s veteran service officer is Patty O’Sullivan, office: 252-475-5604, cell/text: 252-473-7749, email: patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov. You have heard me say often that Patty, who has served Dare County very well, also volunteers her time to assist veterans in Tyrrell County. She very successfully organized and directed the excellent monumental event The Wall That Heals, held November 2023 in Nags Head, bringing 15,000 visitors to see the mobile replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and to experience the Education Center that accompanied it as well. Until the recent addition of Mr. Cain (for Currituck/Camden), Patty had also assisted a lot of Currituck veterans in addition to Tyrrell County. She is an exemplary example of dedication and personal sacrifice for the good of our veterans and their families.

Be sure to visit the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council booth onsite at the Soundside Holiday Market in Nags Head on Sunday, Dec. 1^st from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15th from noon to 4 p.m. Meet Patty and our Veteran Advisory Council members and pick up information and a free ink pen.

On January 15^th, 2025, Patty will meet with veterans in Columbia at the V.S.O. office at 108 Water Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you would like to meet with her, please make a note to save the date!

Lastly, the final meeting this year of the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council will be Tuesday, Nov. 26^th at 6 p.m. in the Dare County Administrative Building, located at 954 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Rm 168 (ground level, first door to the left) in Manteo. Everyone is welcome to attend! Also, if you would like to contact me, please do, cell/text: 252-202-2058 or email: giglineheroes@aol.com.

Until next time, HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY! Be healthy, safe, and happy! Love those around you and remember to bring blessings to others whenever you can. I love you all. Stay tuned!

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