I bet if you asked around, people would tell you that November was their least favorite month. It’s gray and gloomy, cold and either wet or snowy. In New England, it was often all of those characteristics-maybe even on the same day. 

I, however, always loved November. I enjoyed the weather. And, when you did have a nice mild, sunny day, it was glorious. The trees, majestic in their nakedness; the sky so very blue and the sun a wonderful reminder that hope springs eternally. 

Then, of course, there is Thanksgiving in November. When I was a child, it meant time off from school and a great feast at my grandmother Gouvin’s house. Memere was a great cook. I am not sure where or how she learned to cook, but she cooked professionally for a family in one of the big houses in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.  

Anyway, that is to say that the meal was an event, and I always looked forward to it. There were never any questions about where Thanksgiving was. It was at Memere’s. All her children and grandchildren were in attendance. The kids sat at the kitchen table, grown-ups in the dining room. I still remember the time that I was first allowed to sit at the big table. It was not a chore to attend this dinner, it was a joy, even doing the dishes. 

My grandmother used her skill as a cook to demonstrate her love for her family. She and Pepere were immigrants from Quebec, Canada. Neither spoke English when they came to America. All her life, she said her prayers in French. 

And pray she did. She prayed for all of us every day. She attended church every Sunday and holy day without fail. I became her driver when I got my driver’s license at 16. She would let me use her car to drive to “away” football games. She had faith that I would bring her car back in one piece.  

I see that I have gotten off the topic, sorry. Florida definitely does not have a New England November. But we do have Thanksgiving and following in my grandmother’s tradition, it will be around a table laden with delicious food, lots of love and a great big heap of gratitude to God, who loves us unconditionally and has poured unearned blessings and grace on us. 

May the blessings of our loving God be with you this Thanksgiving Day and every day. 

Terri