Week of Thanks: Old and New Memories and Traditions

I’m not sure how many people know what the “J” in Stacey J. stands for.

It’s Jean.

I’m named after my mom’s sister Jeanie. Actually her name was Gloria Jean, but no one called her that.

She died in a car accident on her way home from college.

For Thanksgiving.

So, growing up,  for my family, Thanksgiving always brought back really painful memories. I think it was really hard for my moms family to celebrate at that time of year. And the other side of my family was so far away, and always up to their ears in snow by that time. It was hard to travel there in the winter. So needless to say, our Thanksgivings were small, and kind of sad.  Not all the time, but there was always an undertone.

Fast forward 25 years and I’m grown. With a family of my own. Wanting to make this holiday more lively. Bigger. Happier. And so that’s what I’ve done. I always look forward to Thanksgiving, because I know my house will be full. Of family from all over and friends as well. Today I made three pies, a pumpkin roll, a cheese ball and some peanut butter things to start it off right.  I cleaned and cooked and so did my little boy. (Although his attention span for cooking is a little bit shorter than mine.) I loved every minute of it. I have started new traditions. (Like buying a new apron every year, it’s like getting a new outfit for Christmas, only it’s for the kitchen and I can plan my whole outfit around it!)  and I keep the old ones ( we played an awesome game of Wa-hoo, which up until today was a game  I thought my family invented, lol!) I squeeze as many people into this old house as I can, because I love it that way. I cherish the old memories, but I always look forward to making new ones as well.  I’m looking forward to how tired I will be tomorrow, because I know I will have everything I am Thankful for right here.  (Except for my brother….but he will be here shortly though!)