Thanksgiving through the Years and Now—MEMORIES
**THANKSGIVING (in the “old days”) at the Themer household (the years we did not go to the “extended Schroeder or Themer Family” gettogethers in Oklahoma) meant Wednesday night “Service of Thanksgiving” at Hope Lutheran Church in Dallas and then waking up on Thursday to the wafting aromas of all Mom’s cooking that had already begun at least the day before. I most remember the turkey, ham, giblet gravy, creamy white potatoes, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top, two types of cranberry sauce/fresh salad, whole seasoned green beans, congealed orange salad, brown-and-serve rolls and Mom’s home-made bread (often with cinnamon rolled into it or wholegrain), iced tea, and of course, corn-bread dressing with very little or no sage! I remember eating until I just had to lie upon the floor to get ready for the pumpkin and pecan pies, and sometimes apple and cherry to boot! And, we did not eat until everyone was gathered around the table so that we could say our common table prayers and then have Dad’s “prepared” prayer that fit what was going on in the world at that time. And, if there were people at our Church who also were not “going home for Thanksgiving” that year, Mom and Dad invited them to be a “part of our Family.”**
