A Thanksgiving Memory

A Thanksgiving Memory Food, like many others would say, has always had a substantial impact on my life. My experiences and memories with food have been both enlightening and discouraging. From making new friends through banquets and social events, to being bullied in primary school at the lunch table, food has formed who I am as an individual today. When I think back at all the memories I have, I find that I recall holiday memories more than any other recollection. Since holidays are usually centered around food and togetherness, they have been the most impactful for me. Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays, has always held a sentimental value in my heart. Each Thanksgiving I am reminded of past years; the sweet and savory smells

It happened on Thanksgiving day at my grandparents’ house in Louisiana in the year 1999. Although I was quite young, I remember in vivid detail what happened that day. Upon arriving at my grandparents’ house, I was welcomed by my grandmother, who graciously decided to let me help start making the Thanksgiving dinner before the rest of my family arrived. Since it was my first time being a helper, I recall being very enthusiastic and started in haste, much to my grandmother’s reluctancy. My grandmother had aways been in charge of the food when it came to family gatherings, so she didn’t welcome help very often. Knowing this, I felt honored to be her acolyte and wanted to impress

My aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents all gathered around the dining table. I remember hearing comments about how delicious it looked and questions asking how long it took to make everything. I looked at everyones plates to see all the varieties of food we had. I had decided to go with the turkey and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato soufflé, and crescent rolls. I made sure to savor the flavors of each bite because I knew that I would only experience it once a year. I tasted everything from the saltiness of the gravy and turkey, the onions on top of the green bean casserole, and the bizarre, but addicting taste of the stuffing. I had a bit of everything for dessert. I remember the pumpkin pie the most since it has always been my grandmother’s specialty. I can reminisce about the sweet spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger and how they fill your senses; the graham cracker crust crumbling under the huge dollop of whipped cream that melts in your mouth the second you take a bite. What sticks out in my mind, however, was not just the food, but seeing the happiness and enjoyment on my family’s faces while eating and conversing. Although I was quite young, I still appreciated the sense of togetherness that we had. We had all come together to eat food, and yet such a simple thing like eating together makes a lasting impact on our