Growing up, I spent every Thanksgiving in Sumter County at my grandparents, E.B. and Tamsy Shelby. As soon as Momma and Daddy got off work, we loaded up in the car and headed to the country somewhere between Boyd and Emelle. As corny as it may sound, Momma and I usually sang our version of "Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go" (and those of you who know us, know that neither of us can carry a tune!). Upon arrival, we were usually greeted by aunts, uncles, and cousins whom we saw only once a year. Some came from Greensboro, some from Birmingham, and some from Jacksonville, Florida. One family lived right next door to my grandparents, so I saw them regularly since we usually visited 3 or 4 times a month until I became a teenager. (By then, I was afraid that I would miss something if I were not in Aliceville.)
Thanksgiving in the country is awesome, and I have always wished that my children could have experienced just one Thanksgiving like I had every year. Upon arrival, I usually headed out to find the kids. We looked for eggs in the barn or played cowboys and Indians; we rode horses if we could get someone to catch them and stay with us; we raked leaves, jumped in them, and started over after a war of leaves between the boys and girls; we got underfoot as our moms cooked for the next day; and we watched as our dads headed to the woods to hunt. (Even though my daddy was not a hunter, he did hunt with the other "guys" during Thanksgiving.)
The night before Thanksgiving my grandfather would always hire several men to roast a pig over a pit that he had had dug in the back yard. These men also watched over a pot of brunswick stew. I remember my mamaw and her daughters preparing all the vegetables and meats to go into that pot. The mention of squirrel always kept me from eating any of it.
Sleeping all of us in their three bedroom home was a trick for Mamaw and Pawpaw. To be honest, I have no clue where all the adults slept, but I remember sleeping under the dining room table on a pallet. What fun! I also remember that one Thanksgiving is when I decided I didn't like the milk that they had. It came straight from the cow, and I had never seen them strain it. When I did, I didn't drink milk again at my grandparents until they started buying it.
The morning of Thanksgiving was hectic--not for the kids, we were back in the barn--but for the adults. My grandparent's church, Hayden Presbyterian, also gathered at their house every year, so around 10:30 more cars loaded with adults, children, and food pulled into their yard. I know I was a kid at the time, but I remember two extremely long tables heavy with food (I always say the tables were as long as the width of Aliceville First Baptist's sanctuary (and again, being a kid, my eyes saw things bigger). But, I do know for sure that there was ALOT OF FOOD! Mamaw and Pawpaw had an old house, and there was a wrap-a-round porch (that I sometimes slept on in the hot, summer months) with tall, wide stairs leading to it. The porch, the stairs, the tops of cars, and the yard in general were literally covered with people. What an awesome way to spend Thanksgiving!
On the years that Momma's cousins came from Memphis, TN and Mississippi, there was even more fun. Each of them played some kind of musical instrument, and the young couples (my mom and dad, etc.) gathered in the front room to listen to them play banjos, guitars, fiddles, and mandolins. There was a lot of singing, dancing, talking, and laughing going on in that room, so the kids would always have to inspect it several times to see if we were missing anything, and we would always be shushed out.
As the years passed, the church families decided that it was time to host their own Thanksgiving, so the tradition of joining together at my grandparent's house was stopped. Our family still gathered, and, of course, as we kids were now teenagers, we only did cool stuff. My cousin who lived next door to my grandparents was in a rock band in Livingston, The Shanks. So the rest of us sat around while he entertained us with his guitar and singing.
We spent Thanksgiving with my grandparents until they both passed on. By this time, the cousins and I were all married with children of our own. Dennis and I always spent Thanksgiving with them and Christmas with his family. After my grandparent's death, Mr. Ralph and Miss Ruby included my parents in all celebrations. Since I am an only child, it worked, and I was so thankful that my parents had a place to go for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I miss Mr. Ralph and Miss Ruby; they were both truly awesome people.
Dennis and I have been truly blessed with wonderful parents and families. I thank God for them all every day.
"What if God took away the people/things that you did not thank him for today?"
Keith Pugh, Pastor Open Door Baptist Church
