Though it may feel as if Christmas has burst out of the starting blocks, this Thanksgiving weekend still serves as a respite. A pause to be grateful, to consider what we value — people, places and memories that make us who we are. It’s a time to remind ourselves of lessons learned early, as children, lessons about sharing and being thankful.
We asked a few Golden Triangle neighbors to share something meaningful to them. They represent different backgrounds and ages, but each reinforces what we already knew — that we all desire that “something” to hold on to, a story, a chuckle, a memory that warms us from the inside out, all season long.
Maria Andrews, Columbus
I am a Japanese-American who was born and raised in Okinawa, Japan. Even though some U.S. holidays are not celebrated in Japan, my mom always tried her best to do something special on Thanksgiving, to help my sister and I experience our American heritage. Since turkeys are not readily available in Japan, she used a tiny whole chicken. I was always fascinated watching her cook, especially when she did something I thought was very unusual, like stuffing a dead bird!
Most Japanese homes do not have an oven, so she somehow fit the chicken in our tiny front-loading toaster. My sister and I waited in front of the toaster drooling with expectation as it baked. Once done, there was only enough chicken for everyone to have a few bites each, but we stretched it out with some sticky rice on the side. To this day, I remember it as the tastiest Thanksgiving dinner ever!
Andrews is a graphic designer
Louise Campbell, West Point
When asked to share my thoughts about Thanksgiving, I was glad to think back to the early ’70s when I started having the Campbell clan to my home each year. I am fortunate to belong to a huge, fun family and have been blessed by being a part of it.
I had everyone at my house for many years — sometimes close to 80 for lunch. When I could no longer do this because I was in a smaller house, my daughter Julie took it over and had us at her house. Now we have a great camp house at the river. Everyone brings their specialty dish, so there’s no hardship for anyone.
As time has passed, many of the folks that came at the beginning are not still with us, but their memories remain with all of us, and we’ll miss them forever.
Many new lives have been added as the younger Campbells are now married and bring kids of their own. It is always a wonderful day, with memories of many Thanksgivings our family and friends have spent together and will again. What more could you want? We are truly thankful!
Campbell, a former arts educator, is a founding force behind the Prairie Arts Festival, arts council and community theater in Clay County.
Kayla Hairston, Columbus
Thanksgiving to me means family, food and fun. My momma cooks the best soul food, like beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes, lamb, ram, hog, dog, chicken, turkeys, rabbits, you name it! But on a serious note, she cooks items such as collard greens, ham dressing, sweet potatoes and everyone’s favorite — macaroni and cheese. When it comes to preparing this delectable meal everyone lends a hand, especially when it comes to licking the spoon from dessert or taste-testing samples of the meal. Between me and my dad there is always a race. But … if its chocolate cake, you best believe my brother will beat us to the spoon.
After all the spoons and bowls from dessert have been licked and all the food is in the oven, we all sit on the couch and watch a movie as a family. This is usually around the time my mother dozes off for a quick nap after being up for hours preparing food that we are all thankful for. See, whether you are young or old, we all have that one memory or that one tradition that allows us to remember the reason and enjoy the season.
Kayla, 17, is the daughter of Mark and Tereda Hairston. She attends Golden Triangle Early College High School at East Mississippi Community College.
Kris Lee, Starkville
Years ago — I was 11, maybe? — an aunt brought a box of fireworks for the kids to play with after Thanksgiving dinner. (This was unusual as typically what fireworks we got, we got at Christmas to hold on to until New Year’s Eve). I chose a Roman Candle and proceeded to the front yard with various cousins, as the family watched. An older cousin dared me to hold the Roman Candle up, light it, and let it shoot from my hand instead of the ground. I chickened out as common sense kicked in, but my older cousin then decided to show me how himself, which he did in the following manner: He held it in his hand, he lit the candle, and then, caught the yard on fire. I don’t believe I ever saw a firework at my Nana’s house after that. Or that aunt’s, come to think of it.
Lee is assistant professor of English and creative writing at Mississippi University for Women.
Renee Sanders, Columbus
I wish that, as the Volunteer Columbus director, I could tell the community that on Thanksgiving Day my family volunteers and serves meals in the soup kitchen … but we do not! (Fantastic family tradition to consider starting.) However, after the blessing of the Thanksgiving meal, each member of my family is asked to recite a Bible verse, and it never fails that a few members will always argue over “Jesus wept” (the shortest verse in the Bible). It always brings laughter and a reminder of how important it is for the family to cherish the time we have together. Life is truly just a vapor and should not be taken for granted.
Sanders is director of Volunteer Columbus.
Chris Taylor, Starkville
My most memorable Thanksgiving meal was while being deployed to Afghanistan in November of 2004. During the deployment, on Thanksgiving the leadership team, which consisted of command sergeant major, commanders, first sergeants, platoon leaders and sergeants, helped the cooks prepare and serve the meal. The meal consisted of traditional turkey and dressing, ham and all of the fixings, plus nontraditional meats served were T-bone steaks and lobster. There was a large assortment of desserts which included pies and cakes. This gave all those who shared the meal a feeling of family, home and the holiday spirit.
During deployment, holidays were always the hardest times experienced while separated from family and friends. It is a tradition during deployment for the leadership team to serve the soldiers to show an appreciation for their outstanding commitment and their service to our country.
Taylor is Command Sgt. Maj., U.S. Army, retired, and president of Oktibbeha County NAACP.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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