Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Ultimate Compliment



I got a call the other day from my sister-in-law Lila. She was inviting our family to have Thanksgiving dinner at her house. I was very excited. I love Thanksgiving and the more family the better. I asked what I could bring. She had not really planned the menu yet, but she knew she wanted me to make the GRAVY. I learned how to make gravy from my father. He was an expert. He made the gravy for every roast and every turkey and delicious hamburger gravy. Holidays were especially delicious and we all couldn't wait to have our potatoes with 'dad's gravy'. My father died of cancer on January 2, 1996. We celebrated our last Thanksgiving together as a family in Idaho all together with my dad. He made the gravy--he was very weak and thin, and without saying it we all knew this would be the LAST gravy made by dad. Just as he finished, and was bringing the gravy to the table, it slipped out of his hands and spilled. He was so sad, he felt defeated. WE all acted like it was no big deal and we ate the delicious meal with a few drops of the best gravy we had ever had. My gravy does not taste like my dad's, but I'm trying and EVERY TIME I make it I think of my father. It is a good memory. I love you dad and this year I will again think of you at Thanksgiving time as I'm making YOUR gravy.

10 comments:

Tyler - Danielle - Emree said...

Grandpa's gravy is the ultimate. He is the one person I wish Tyler could have met. Thanksgiving is the time of year I think about Grandpa the most!

Unknown said...

I didn't know this, but I love it!
What an incredible story.

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

I'm so glad you recorded this memory Lori . . . and for the rest of the record, your gravy is REALLY good.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post Lori. I count myself very blessed to know your father, and your mother.

Puhlman said...

OK you almost made me cry from that post.

Cassidy said...

It's weird hearing you call my mom your sister in law. weird. ha. I love your parents, they always made me feel special even though I'm not related to them! I didn't know that about your dad. That was a great story. IT made me miss him, and he's not even my grandpa! You do make great gravy, it is true.

Korbi said...

If I liked gravy I'll bet your dad's is yummy!

Peggy Dee said...

I miss your dad too! He was one of a kind!!

mumovearls said...

Ok... making good gravy is not easy, so I'm going to have to have you teach me-N

the Horton Hurricane said...

grandpa"s gravy was the BEST!!! I remember that Thanksgiving and I will never forget it