I thought that sharing the Thanksgivings of 1940, 1941 and 1942 it would bring to you the importance of family sharing at this special time of the year. I feel blessed that I have been able to share so many Thanksgivings with my family and this year will be another special one with our Granddaughter Kelly hosting our 2011 Thanksgiving for the first time.
Thanksgiving 1940 –
Addie had invited Grandpa Erskine and Grandma Jenny to the Phelps’ home for Thanksgiving dinner and had cooked a big turkey Reg had brought home from one of his farmer friends.
Everyone gathered around the table and Reg said, “Erskine, would you say grace for us please.” “It would be my pleasure, Reg.” He bowed his head and the family followed his lead. “Dear heavenly Father we are so thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful family. We ask Thee to be with the many families in Europe that are homeless because of this treacherous war. We also ask Thee to soften the hearts of the war lords that are directing this carnage on the innocent people in Europe, and protect the servicemen fighting against them. Now we come before Thee to thank you for the provisions of this food set before us. May we use this food to strengthen our bodies for Thy continued service? Amen.”
Bud got a big lump in his throat and had to swallow hard not to show any tears. He looked around the room and said to himself, ‘Lord thank you for blessing me with such a wonderful family and for Grandpa’s special prayers.’
Thanksgiving 1941 –
The Phelps’ family was now seated around a Thanksgiving table overflowing with a plentiful harvest of food, and they all had so many things to be thankful for this year. Reg said, “First, I would like Erskine to lead us in our Thanksgiving prayer, and after dinner I will ask each of you to share the most important things you are thankful for this year.”
Erskine asked everyone around the table to hold hands, and said, “Heavenly Father, wse have so many things to praise Thee and thank Thee for this year. It is difficult to choose just one. We did so vividly see the healing power of prayer by simply looking into Reg’s face, and thank Thee for granting our prayers for this healing power. We hear of the many heroic acts performed to either protect, or actually save individuals in the many war-torn cities in Europe. We thank Thee for protecting Bud and his friends as they encountered the stranger that was in our midst. Now, we ask Thee to bless this food that is set before us. May we use it to nourish our bodies for more complete service to Thee?” Everyone at the table felt the strength of Erskine Claar’s prayer and in unison they all said, “Amen.”
Addie said, “Reg has already carved our turkey, and if we don’t hurry the food is going to get cold. Please fill your plates now and eat hearty on this blessed Thanksgiving Day of 1941.” Everyone did fill their plates, and not only was the warmth of food felt by all, but also the warmth of the love shown by this family around their table.
They spent the afternoon together sharing the things that they were most thankful for. Jean shared her joy of finding the Indian Spear Point. Bud shared the satisfaction of tracking the stranger, and learning the importance of highway safety, as well as the friendship of Jack Shaunesey. It had been such a busy and important year; beginning with the tragedy of Reg’s accident, and his miraculous healing was the most important single thing for the entire family.
Thanksgiving 1942 –
Thanksgiving again brought the family together with Grandpa and Grandma Claar at the Phelps’ home for dinner. Reg offering to say the blessing said, “Lord, we have had a tough year, and I don’t think our family would have made it if it hadn’t been for Thee at our side. We are thankful for so many things, with the safety Thou hast given to our family being uppermost in my thoughts. I ask Thee to bless this food that is set before us. Please put Thy healing and protective hands on all of our servicemen and women scattered around the world. We also ask Thee to be a comfort to all of the lonely people who have been separated from their loved ones because of this conflict. We pray these things in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” Grandpa Claar said, “Thank you Reg, for your wonderful prayer, and thank Thee Lord for Thy bounty.”
The dinner was bountiful enough, with one of Reg’s farmer friends supplying the turkey. Grandma Jenny brought two pies, and Addie cooked everthing else necessary for this special day. She had been cooking literally from sunup ’till it was time to eat. After everyone was so full that they could hardly move, Addie said, “Pie now, or pie later?” Not surprisingly, everyone said later. Addie had good help in the kitchen cleaning up the dishes. Grandma Jenny, Jean, and even Bud did their part for the cleanup project.
After all of the dishes were washed, dried and put away, Addie put on a pot of coffee for the grown-ups, and made hot chocolate for the kids. When the men smelled the coffee brewing they headed back to the kitchen, and Reg said, “We are now ready for some of that pie.” Grandpa Claar added, “Maybe with just a bit of whip-cream on top.” Bud said, “Me too, but make it a big-bit of whipped cream.”
Hopefully, my sharing of these memories will trigger your memories of past Thanksgivings. I add my Thanksgiving 2011 Prayer for all of our servicemen and women again scattered around the globe, “Lord may your protective arms be around families throughout your world, bringing them together in thanksgiving for Thy bounty.”