The Stuffing!

I was about 11 when I remember the best part of Thanksgiving day.

The time was very early in the day. I called for my mother to come quickly to my bed and she lifted me into my wheelchair.

Mom had already started cooking the turkey and the wonderful smell lofted into my room. This smell reminded me that I was in charge of helping mom make the delicious stuffing.

She and I chopped up the nice green celery and the perfect onions. We then threw them into a hot pan with about two (maybe more!) sticks of melted butter. I could toss in some sage, parsley, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.

Mother had to pull the turkey out of the oven, as she had to add some hot turkey juice to "our" stuffing. I stirred the vegetables with a big wooden spoon, until they were lightly brown. Then, she poured it all into a huge blue and white bowl that was filled to the top with flavored croutons. We guessed on how many eggs, maybe at least a dozen, were added. She mixed and stirred and mixed and stirred until the favorite time of the day arrived.

It was time to taste.

Mom gave me a spoon and took one for herself and we both dipped our spoons in. She always asked me, "What do you think it needs?" I would say it needs just a bit more sage, a tad more butter and a lot more turkey juice. Then, we would taste it again. A little more pepper. It went on and on until it tasted just perfect!

Mom would stuff the moist dressing into the gigantic bird. She would put what was leftover, into a real dainty casserole dish. Back into the oven went our turkey with of course, the dressing. An hour before dinner was to be served, she would place the stuffing casserole into the oven.

I couldn't wait to eat everything -- turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish -- and especially, the remarkable dressing. The dressing was the most delicious and luscious Probably, because I helped! I can still taste it today as my mouth waters.

Every year at Thanksgiving that was my job -- to help make the stuffing taste great! Even when I could no longer stir, crack the eggs, cut the celery and onions, etc., my mom would always give me a taste and ask me, "What does it need?"

It was a special time. Not only for Thanksgiving but a special time for my mom and me. I am thankful to her for allowing me to help make the stuffing.

It was a time I'll always remember. A time I will always hold dear to my heart.

~ Lori Andalee Hinderer ~

Lori says, "I'm 47 years 'young!' I have a rare form of muscular dystrophy since birth. I love to read books on tape, writing short stories, starting my book and writing in my journal. Writing I have found is rewarding. Due to the warm weather in Arizona, I moved here twelve years ago. I dedicate my story to my Mother."  You can email Lori at:  sliceoflife2 at cox.net.

[ by: Lori Andalee Hinderer, Copyright © 2008 ( sliceoflife2 at cox.net ) -- {used with permission} ]