I think back to Thanksgiving when I was a kid. Being the oldest grandchild, I helped Grandma make her pies. If I remember correctly, I used to cut up a pound of lard into small pieces and mix them into bowls of flour. Grandma made the mince meat from blocks of None Such Mince Meat. I had to peel and slice apples for the apple pies. By the time I got through, I thought my fingers wouldn’t straighten out from holding the apples.

I mentioned before that each of our families would receive one apple and one mince pie. One year, I counted the pies, 22 in all. I remember delivering the pies to Aunt Kate and Uncle Frank, who lived close to us in “J.P.”

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For several years, I was able to get tickets to the Latin-English football game. Every year, Latin supporters seemed to be placed in seats on the non-sunny side of Harvard Stadium. We were like icicles as we boarded the elevated trains after the game. By the time I arrived at my stop, I was almost thawed out. When I arrived at my Aunt Ethel’s house (during World War II, I helped her can the green beans from her small garden), it was time to mash the potatoes. I was given a mixer and moved on to that pleasant task (I liked to lick the beaters).

Another year, it was our turn to have Thanksgiving dinner. Cousin Nancy asked if we would mind if her daughter Laura brought three of her classmates at Harvard to our house because they lived too far away from Boston to get home for Thanksgiving. The boys were very quiet at the table. (They probably couldn’t have gotten a word in edgewise with our family!) What I remember is that they helped take out all of the dirty dishes, so we would have room for dessert.

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This year, daughter Jeanne and son-in-law David have invited us to Thanksgiving brunch at their home in Rockport. Luckily, neither of the “World’s Greatest Grandchildren,” Brendan or Erin, has to work.
Hubby, daughter Sue, and I will bring lots of treats with us. Erin and I have decided that a fruit tray would be lovely to have. Jeanne is happy to have all types of improvements in her remodeled kitchen. It looks beautiful.

About a month ago, Hubby, Sue, and I were at Jeanne and David’s home to help them celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. When we arrived, Jeanne told us to pull into the driveway. Jeanne, Erin, and “Suzy,” David’s late mother’s dog, came out to greet us and help bring in the goodies that we had brought from home: potato salad, chips, dip made with leek soup mix and sour cream, and all kinds of soda. We no sooner opened the rear door of the car, when we had a visitor, a good-sized, furry, black visitor, sitting on the seat. It was “Suzy”. We must have looked and smelled like her own family, so she wanted to come home with us. We all laughed at her. I’m sorry that Hubby didn’t get a photo of her sitting in the car’s back seat.

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On Wed., Nov. 16, Hubby and I walked to the Leahy/Holloran Community Center where the annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors was being held. We went a little early because we wanted to get a table for our friends. As we entered the Center, we were amazed at the huge, inflatable turkey that welcomed us. We had a great table of friends: Loretta, Mary, Ginny, and Mary. Also joining us was Tom, their friend from church. Also at the dinner were our friends from Keystone, including Eileen, Marilyn, Marie, Maureen, Mary, Barbara, Peggy, and Eileen (#2). Sitting very near us were Sister Joyce and Sister Christine. Hubby thought there were nearly 100 people attending.

When the food was being delivered to each senior, each plate included sliced turkey, stuffing, mixed vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Also delivered by young volunteers were rolls, bottles of various juices, and cranberry sauce. They also brought plates back to the servers, so that gravy could be ladled onto the meat, stuffing, and potatoes. The dessert was a slice of pumpkin cake with a good-sized scoop of ice cream.

Jill LaMonica, head of the Center, came to the microphone to tell us that the delicious food had been donated by Pat’s of Lower Mills. We seniors gave a big round of applause to Pat’s.

While we were eating, pal Loretta told us that our mutual friend John Scannell had celebrated his 90th birthday on Nov. 11. John’s family had a party for him on Sunday, and all of John’s friends who work at Cedar Grove Cemetery had a party for him the day before the Thanksgiving dinner. John, with his magnificent voice, still entertains at places like Marian Manor, God bless him.

Our friend Pat Moran made decorations for all of the tables at the dinner. She also told me that she had bought flowers to thank Jill and Lisa for hosting this enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner each year at the Center. Jill and Lisa in turn thanked the Holloran family for allowing their huge, inflatable turkey to decorate the Center during the dinner.

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Our family hopes that all of our readers have as nice a Thanksgiving as we will have.