Flashback Friday: Thanksgiving Memories

2000:
I've mentioned before my sister spent three years in Japan. Because of it, my mother got involved with Subaru Izuzu International (SIA) and worked to get our hometown of Lafayette, IN and Ota, Japan, sister cities. As a result, Mom was able to go to Japan not only for a delegation meeting, but she was able to see my sister, who was living in Ota. Mom also befriended several Japanese families, and on Thanksgiving 2000, we had the honor of sharing our day with Chizuko and her daughters Megumi, Remi, and Eru. Megumi and my son K are about the same age; same with Remi and my daughter S. The five children got along well; K and M were 7; R and S 5, and Eru was three.

I don't remember much about that particular day; I came across a photo album with a picture of the five kids gathered around my mother's coffee table, which doubled as 'the kiddie table' that day. All five are smiling, and The Christmas Story (my dad's favorite holiday movie) was playing non-stop on one of the cable channels (TNT??).

Yesterday, we had the grand total of nineteen people show up for our pitch in. A good time was had by all, and no one left hungry or empty-handed. The party started somewhere around 1 and by seven, we were cleaning up the kitchen. The teens disappeared to Denny's after putting the tables away; the SU and I settled down to watch Miracle on 34th Street (Natalie Wood version).

Today, on this Black Friday, if you hit the shops, let me know if courtesy has returned, or was the majority in selfish 'Me, me' mode?

I'm heading off to work at the bookstore in a little bit. Here's hoping everyone has a safe and happy holiday shopping season!