Mother’s Love and Turkey Dressing—Reflections on Thanksgiving

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(AP Photo/Larry Crowe, FILE)

by Bill Formby

Well, today is Thursday, November 22, 2018. I thought I would include that for those who have not glanced at the top of the page yet and read the date. That also means this is Thanksgiving day. It is a day when families get together and enjoy a good meal, enjoy the company of their families and friends, and some will watch a little football.

I well remember Thanksgivings in the past when my family would load up and drive down to North Mobile County to a place called Creola, Alabama for dinner with my family. My mother and my maternal grandmother were the greatest cooks around. My step brother and I have both been trying to replicate her turkey dressing for years without either of us succeeding. It seems that both of us can get close but there is just something we are missing.

I was talking with the only neighbor that I talk to in this unholy place I call home and she and her husband were getting ready for a bunch of there kin folks to invade their home. She was mixing dressing up and we started talking about her dressing and my mother’s dressing. She said that her kids tell her it just would not be Thanksgiving without her dressing. As I watched her I asked about her recipe and she said, “There is no recipe. I just start putting stuff together until it just seems right.”

After Karen had told me how she made the dressing she added that she made her dressing with a mother’s love. That’s when I told her the struggle my stepbrother and I were having. I added to that the thought that now I wish that my mother had involved me in the making of that dressing. If she had then that love she had put into her dressing could have been carried on for generations. She stopped and looked at me. Then she said, “You know, I have never thought about it that way. I have to make up another batch but I think I will wait until the kids get here and get them all to help make the next batch of the dressing.”

So, this morning I rolled out of bed at the crack of maybe 9:30 or so and I noticed that Karen’s children’s cars were all at her house already. Most likely they were already up to their elbows in cornmeal, eggs, milk, and chicken broth, along with a few spices. You see, here in the South you don’t make just a little bit of dressing. You make big batches of it, and most people who have made it for a while don’t measure things too much. They throw all the right things in a big pan and get in there with their hands and mix it all together. Somehow, some way, it always comes out just right. Not too dry, nor too moist. Whether you like “naked” as my step sister used to say (no gravy) or with gravy it is always good.

Back in the day, it was eating dinner and then watching a little football; falling asleep in the recliner, waking up, eating some more and repeating as often as possible. But, like many other things in life, at least for me, those days seem to be gone. Nowadays I still prepare a turkey because Rascal does love his turkey and I prepare some potatoes and green beans. I usually ask my dog, Rascal, if I can have some of his turkey and we have a great Thanksgiving meal. Its not mom’s, but it will do until the next life I guess.

To all my friends at MMA, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope the coming holidays will treat you well.

About Post Author

Bill Formby

Bill Formby, aka William A. Formby, PhD, aka Lazersedge is a former Marine and a former police officer. He is a retired University Educator who considers himself a moderate pragmatic progressive liberal, meaning that he thinks practically liberal, acts practically liberal, and he is not going to change in the near future. But, if he does he will be sure to let you know.
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Bill Formby
5 years ago

Lyndon, I hope you enjoyed your aged bottle of scotch. I had a sip or two of JW red just to round out the day. I hope that the remainder of the coming holidays treat you well.

Reply to  Bill Formby
5 years ago

I did sir, I most certainly did, perhaps a wee dram too much after all, but worth every delightful sip. I like a single malt, so I’ve usually a bottle of Macallan tuckered away for such special occasions. Tip of the hat to you!

Bill Formby
Reply to  Lyndon Probus
5 years ago

🙂 🙂

5 years ago

I’ve lost those people I love due to accident or misfortune, so my holidays, none of which any longer offer succor to me, are spent with my beloved cat, Mendicus, and of course a hearty Beaujolais, or an aged bottle of scotch to lightly dull the senses and dream of better times. Your days of holidays past Bill are well described, in particular with regard to the dressing. Your preparation descriptions made my mouth water.

Admin
5 years ago

I spent Thanksgiving with my friend Julie, and my family: Mako, Barney, Aadi, and the two parrots, Cali, and Mango. Julie and I had a delicious meal at a local restaurant, and, upon my return home, I shared with the gang. All in all, it was a peaceful day, but I confess to missing the chaos of turkey, stuffing, laughter, and fun that so characterized the holiday with mom, dad, sister, wife, children, and one little dog. We are now scattered to the winds and those days are long passed. That makes me sad.

Bill Formby
Reply to  Professor Mike
5 years ago

Mike, I hope you and Julie enjoyed your visit together. You are right that thinking about those days past make me sad at times. However, I am thankful that I have two great children who now wonderful adults now leading their and making their own memories.

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