I really like Thanksgiving and July 4th. They are like "holy days" for the civic society, with special church services and so on. Especially Thanksgiving, of course. You don't have to go to church, but it is the most appropriate thing to do.
I think our parish church back home had two Masses on Thanksgiving; one was the big blow-out with singing and an elaborate procession with gifts. I remember when I was about nine or ten being called over by my parents, who were talking with the pastor before Mass. I was chosen to bring up one of the Thanksgiving gifts--a magnum of wine. I wasn't too crazy about that idea, but when you're nine or ten you don't have much choice.)
At the appointed time, I went to the back and the usher nested the big bottle in my arms. Up I went. The pastor (Father Mistretta--we always had priests of Italian descent in our parish) looked really nervous, as if he fully expected me to drop the bottle at the altar step. And I, the eldest of five, or by then it may have been six, kids, felt a bit miffed at his anxiety. If I could handle a squirming baby brother or sister, I could certainly handle this! (You never know what's going on in a kid's mind, do you?)
Does anyone else have a Thanksgiving day memory to share?
By the way, today is my mom's birthday. It was Thanksgiving Day when she was born, too, the very day after yesterday's saint, Blessed Miguel Pro, was martyred in Mexico.
HAPPIEST OF HAPPY BIRTHDAYS, MOM.
"Wish I was celebrating with you!" ("Pass the salt....salt....salt....")
1 comment:
one year my mom and i were lucky enough to be travelling in italy over thanksgiving weekend. of course, there was no turkey to be had. we went to a restaurant in rome and thought that we would order our food and then eat. we got our drinks and then the waiter never came back. eventually, he did. he took our dinner orders (chicken in lieu of traditional turkey) and it seemed that hours passed before the food came. we were absolutely famished by then! we didn't realize that italians don't go to a restaurant hungry. they go early, hang out, drink, talk, enjoy the atmosphere and presence of whomever they are with. when the food came, we were starving and slightly giggly. the chicken on my pate was whole and looked to me as if she was holding her hands in the air as if to say, "don't shoot!" i got a wild fit of the giggles which were contagious. my mom and i laughed and giggled all night.
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