Thursday, November 28, 2013

Not Quite Objectophilia

I don't think I'll ever not dork right out over the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And I don't mind telling you that I get emotional about it. I straight up want to scoop the whole thing into my arms and cuddle it.

Don't worry, its not that weird. It's nothing like these folks who married the inanimate objects of their affection. It's more like that teddy bear you had as a kid, the one that went everywhere with you. The one you told all your secrets to. If you didn't have one of these constant companions, I don't even know how to relate to you right now. But I do want to hug you.

The thing is, I don't particularly enjoy a parade and rarely will I venture outdoors to watch strangers drive by at a creepy crawl while waving and chucking candy or tokens at my person. But this is so much more than a parade to me. It's a tradition.

No, its more than that, even. It's family, if a parade can be that.

See, my grandma watched this parade unfold over the course of her entire life. And my mother's entire life. And mine. Never was the parade not on in our house on Thanksgiving Day.

Here's the Felix the Cat balloon in 1927, nearly ten years before my grandmother was even born!

Photo Source: theweekmagazine.tumblr.com

That's way back when my great-grandparents were likely hearing about it while baking and holding hands to say grace around the family table.

Bonkers.

Today, I'm still enamored by the balloons. Especially the kitties. CCL much?

Photo Source: http://www.latinospost.com
I miiiiiiight even go online each year, reading the Macy's twitter feed and watching different angles via Earth Cam.

And who's not in falling in love with Jimmy Fallon this year as he and The Roots sing with the folks of Sesame Street?

I mean. Come. On.

Anyway, I know it might not seem like a big deal to some of you. It's just a parade, after all. But as long as this parade lives on, my grandma, who raised me for much of my life,  lives on. And those moments in her kitchen live on and that makes it easier to breathe when I miss her in a way I'll never be able to articulate. Let it suffice to say that it involves an anvil on my chest and so much water spewing from my eyeholes. But it's good because she was amazing and allowed me to call her "kiddo" and "kitten" and bring my friends to the Thanksgiving table.

I'm thankful for the time I had with her and for all she taught me - with words and actions - about being strong and independent, loving, kind, and generous. But I'm mostly just thankful she WAS.

Okay, that's all the time I have to ramble on. I have family, friends, and this New York cheesecake vying for my attention. I make this recipe from Smitten Kitchen every year. It never looks like hers but it tastes AMAZING ... when I don't mess it up.

So, what traditions are you embracing today and what sorts of things have the memories bubbling up for you? Please comment to let me know. Or just say what you're grateful for. It'll make my day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

You are loved.

xoxo,
Megan

Ps. It's Thanksgiving so I flew right through this. Please ask your inner grammar officer to have some pie and relax.

3 comments:

  1. I was already weepy; but you made some more water spew! Happy Thanksgiving, Megan! I'm thankful I know you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww. And now I weep right back atcha, Cat. I'm thankful for you, as well!

      Delete
  2. Awww, kitchen table memories are the best. XOXO

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think.
Please consider leaving a comment.