A Mix of Old and New Traditions
It’s Thanksgiving Eve and I am embarking on yet another new adventure. It is not only my third Thanksgiving without my Mom, it is also my first Thanksgiving without my framily…my chosen family. The people who have seen me through pure hell and never wavered.
I’m also a passenger princess in the backseat of my husband’s truck. We picked up my father-in-law earlier, stopped for a not so quick breakfast and now we are headed to Massachusetts. My husband’s sister and family live outside of Boston. I’m excited to see them and hug both nephews!
My emotions are all over the place. I’m excited yet I’m sad. I want to make new memories, but I’m sad to leave the old behind. So, in spite of my being a hot mess, I’ve decided that I will try my best to bring some of the old into the new. Let me explain…
Last week, I was on a mission to find a pan…not just any pan…my Mom’s blue granite roasting pan. I felt ready to carry on Mom’s tradition of making Chex mix for the holidays. In 2023, there was absolutely no way I was emotionally prepared to do it. In 2024, well, we were preparing for a move to Maine. But this year, 2025, I felt mostly ready.
Anyway, all of the kitchen boxes had been unpacked months ago. So, I wasn’t sure where to even begin looking for the pan. I knew I had a pan that was large enough…but my heart needed to find this particular pan to connect the old with the new.
If you know me, you know I’m big on prayer. So, to the basement I went and prayers went up asking for help in my search. As I walked through the basement, I got a nudge to look in a couple of Rubbermaid tubs. I honestly thought I had packed the pan in a box…at Mom’s house. I didn’t take any tubs up there. But, because that nudge was so strong, I moved a couple of boxes of angels and opened the first one. Christmas decorations from Mom’s. Deep breath…I opened the second…there was random Tupperware at the top…I honestly didn’t remember packing anything kitchen related in a tub…but, I removed the random things and under them was the pan! I whispered thank you, Lord and pulled it out of the tub. It was much heavier than it should have been. When I removed the inverted lid, inside the pan were treasures of knives, other utensils and Mom’s favorite wooden spoon! I had wondered about them, but hadn’t really sought them out. But there they were. My heart needed that. Joy!
I lugged the loaded pan upstairs beaming! I washed everything up and got out Mom’s recipe box to find her recipe for Chex mix! I knew it was in there because I had gone through it, laminated everything and organized it a bit this fall.
I made sure I had the ingredients needed for my first batch…nervous but happy. Let’s do this, Mom! As soon as I got the pan in the oven, my house smelled like home, Mom’s house. More joy…I know you’re here, Mom. Stirring every 15 minutes for an hour…I used her favorite wooden spoon…just like she did. More joy.
When I finally got to pull the pan out of the oven, and dump it all on the paper towel lined parchment to cool, I couldn’t resist trying it. Not as good as Mom’s, but close. I’ll get there.
So, the Chex mix is loaded up and in the backseat with me on our way to Massachusetts. As we make new memories, I’ll have just a bit of the old with me, too.
Yes, I’ll truly miss my normal Thanksgiving routine with Mom and my framily. I am going to try to remember the old with love and thanksgiving while soaking up the new with joy and peace.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
lp
