Thanksgiving Memories
Unofficial Challenge
Some of my happiest memories were spent at the holidays surrounded by one set of my family or another. I always considered myself lucky because I would get to feast first at one parent’s house, then at the other. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that I get quickly burned out on turkey and dressing now, getting to eat twice on the holidays.
No matter what was served during the holiday season, I always enjoyed seeing family more than anything. The games of football we would play, the stories we would tell, and the songs we’d sing—generally, the memories we made.
I would love to hear stories of your favorite Thanksgiving memories. So, I want to challenge you, my reader, to regal me with a remarkable family memory you have. Make me feel like I am there with you. Let me see the memory through your eyes.
Requirements:
- Write a Thanksgiving memory between 600-1000 words
- Post to the Journal Community
- Post the links to the comments here
- All entries are due by November 22, 2023, at noon CST
I will post my favorite memories in an article on Thanksgiving Day.
I’m looking forward to reading all of your memories.
(For non-US, pick a family holiday you enjoy celebrating with your family during November or December)
About the Creator
Mother Combs
Come near, sit a spell, and listen to tales of old as I sit and rock by my fire. I'll serve you some cocoa and cookies as I tell you of the time long gone by when your Greats-greats once lived.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from Mother Combs and writers in Writers and other communities.
Comments (33)
Super!!!
Aww I didn’t see this in time! Good luck to all the contestants.
Thank you for your creative and meaningful challenge. I dug deep on this one. ROCK
https://vocal.media/journal/long-island-thanksgiving
I appreciate your request for a Thanksgiving memory, and I'd be happy to share one with you! However, due to the character limit in this chat format, I'll provide a shorter version. If you have any specific details or themes you'd like me to focus on within this limited space, feel free to let me know. --- Thanksgiving has always been a time of warmth, laughter, and a feast that seemed to stretch from one home to another in our family. One particularly memorable Thanksgiving stands out – a year filled with unexpected joy and a twist of serendipity. It was the kind of November day where the crisp air nipped at your cheeks, and the scent of roasting turkey wafted through the house. Our family tradition was to gather at my grandparents' home, a cozy place that seemed to expand magically to accommodate the growing number of relatives each year. As the front door swung open, a gust of chilly wind ushered us into the comforting chaos of the kitchen. The women, aunts, and cousins alike, were orchestrating a symphony of culinary creations. The men, armed with football banter and appetites sharpened by anticipation, hovered around the living room's TV. But that year, unexpected circumstances shuffled the usual order of events. My grandparents' oven, the heart of the Thanksgiving operation, decided to go on strike just as the turkey was meant to take center stage. Panic ensued briefly, with kitchen hands waving and suggestions flying like autumn leaves in a gust. In the midst of this culinary crisis, my younger cousin, usually the quiet observer, proposed a daring idea. Why not venture into the world of outdoor cooking and attempt to grill the turkey? It was a wild notion, met initially with skepticism and nervous laughter. Yet, with the clock ticking and the aroma of Thanksgiving slipping away, we embraced the unconventional. The men, now reluctantly turned outdoor chefs, embarked on the quest to grill the Thanksgiving turkey. The backyard transformed into an impromptu culinary arena, and the grill, usually reserved for summer barbecues, became the stage for this Thanksgiving spectacle. As the turkey sizzled over the open flame, an unexpected camaraderie blossomed. Laughter echoed under the open sky, and stories unfolded amidst the aromatic dance of smoke and spices. It was a departure from tradition, a detour into the unknown, and it became the centerpiece of that year's Thanksgiving memory. When the golden-brown turkey finally made its grand entrance, escorted by a chorus of cheers and applause, there was a collective sense of triumph. Our unconventional Thanksgiving feast became a symbol of resilience and the ability to find joy in unexpected places. Seated around the table, under the soft glow of overhead lights and the flicker of candle flames, we bowed our heads not just in gratitude for the meal but for the shared laughter, the unpredictable adventure, and the reminder that sometimes the best memories are born out of unforeseen circumstances. That Thanksgiving taught us to embrace the unexpected, to find joy in unconventional moments, and above all, to savor the flavors of togetherness that make every Thanksgiving truly special.
I'm glad that you have such fond memories of the holiday with your family!!
https://vocal.media/journal/once-upon-a-thanksgiving
My last minute addition, probably not what you asked for, but it is where I was inspired to go with my thoughts. https://vocal.media/journal/thanksgiving-memories-in-abstract
EEEK! I am just seeing this, today be 21st Nov. Wonder if brain can find a story today. Congrats on a cool idea,
Oh, thank you 🙏😊 Tack, Gracias, Merci, Danke. I love unofficial challenges because they loosen me up.
Awesome!!! Time to put back on the thinking cap, lol. Ps: I also get tired of turkey and dressing and haven’t made it in at least 5-6 years.
What a lovely idea. One of the best ways to remember to be thankful ❤️
Amazing job! Keep up the outstanding work—congrats!
I also invite you to all for participating. This is a better chance to explore your ideas. Keep writing well
I keep subscribing to you, I don't understand why it keeps coming off but I still get notifications. weird. Here is my Thanksgiving Story. It's my first time entering a story in the Journal Community. https://vocal.media/journal/happy-thanksgiving-memoir
This is a great Challenge Mother Combs. I am actually working on two stories at the same time. My Thanksgiving story was prompted by a friend's Thanksgiving picture.
This is a great time to write down the good memories we've had during the year.
I will have a think... Congrats on TS regardless though and great idea for a challenge.
Great idea
Excellent ideas here M Combs!! Also congrats on this top story too! 😁
Congratulations!!!💕❤️❤️
Great idea. I hope lots of people will accept the challenge.
Yayyyyyy so happy this got a Top Story! Congratulations!! 🎉💖🎊🎉🥰🎊
congrats, we almost all forget the thanks giving untill its on the corner. knee jerk version. bravo
I’ll have to think on this one. I’ll definitely submit something when I do.