Celebrating Gratitude and Thanksgiving

The Elvis station is playing on the radio as we drive back to Long Island from snowy Syracuse in Central New York. I listen, recollecting the many drives to the home of my childhood and wondering where time has gone. Thanksgiving is a special time of year, highlighted by family gatherings and my birthday. With a thankful spirit, I unfold a story of a family gathering, knowing that there are many other stories about this topic being shared across America.

The power of story lies in retelling of details that are strung together and woven into a tapestry of thoughts. Stories are a window into small moments, so I celebrate gratitude and thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Past that I am Grateful For:

The Thanksgiving of my past wasn't Norman Rockwell style. Yes, of course, there was turkey with all of the trimmings, but the lead up was with an Italian flair. My Nonnie's kitchen was filled with many delights. Her many specialties filled the house with enticing smells: fried meatballs, chicken soup with little meatballs, artichokes, and lasagna or homemade pasta with thick sauce. By the time the turkey came out, I was already full. Dessert was always an impressive tray of Italian cookies followed by the delicious seasonal candy treat, turkey joints created by the Nora's Candy Shop confectioners in Rome, New York (originally known as Candyland). 

Thanksgiving Present that I am Grateful For:

Lately, we have traveled back to Central NY for Thanksgiving but my sister is the hostess now. Her sprawling house was warm and inviting when we entered. The fireplace was burning and autumn touches were found in every room. Food was specially prepared from the bounty of nearby farms purchased at the weekly Farmers' Market. Everything was set for an enjoyable family get-together.

I am grateful for the family who gathered together for this holiday and the memories of a very snowy Thanksgiving. May the picturesque views of Syracuse, the Thanksgiving Day Mass said by a special family friend, Bishop Thomas Costello, the visit to Columbus and Lyncourt Bakeries, the tree lighting ceremony, birthday party, the final brunch at Stella's Diner remain, and my sister's hospitality remain as fond remembrances for years to come. 


Tech Tools to Create Lasting Memories that I am Grateful for:
It takes patience to try out new tools, especially when it involves multiple processes. For the slideshow below, I used the iPhoto slideshow after I uploaded the photos from my iPhone. Then, I exported the video to Picassa 3. The last step was to upload the video to YouTube so that I could insert it here as a lasting memory. 

Go to CELEBRATE This Week: LIX

Although this post is late in coming, I celebrate my past and present times during Thanksgiving week with Ruth Ayres and the Celebrate This Week writing community. 

Join the DigiLit Sunday Community here

I am also adding this post to Margaret Simon's DigiLit Sunday because of the technology I used to upload this video. I am pleased that I had the patience to accomplish this task. 

Side Note: Teachers need patience as they guide their students to integrate technology with writing activities, for the students are the main actors on the stage.