The year was 1995. We were stationed in Norfolk, Va, against my wishes, but as things go in the navy , you go, you do, and accept what has to be done, so there we were. It was Thanksgiving, 1995, and as we have done throughout my life, we were thankful for what we had and where we were. And as it is the Navy way, we invited all the sailors who were too far from home to go home, for Turkey dinner.
Tony, all of 3 years old, my shadow, helped me cook my first turkey, a 22 pound bird. Every time I opened the oven to braise that bird, he was hot on my tail watching, wanting to help. He helped with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, yams, my first pecan pie. Truly my shadow.
When it time to pull the Turkey out of the oven to rest, I realized how big it really was, and I said…”Wow, look at that BIG BIRD!” I was so impressed with myself and that bird.
Then I looked at my 3 year old, and immediately realized something was wrong…
He said, in a very squeaky, scared voice, “BIG BIRD? We’re eating Big Bird?”
O.M.G…I then had 8 starving sailors in the living room watched Sesame Street with Tony for an hour to prove to my Tony that Big Bird was alive and well…best turkey day ever…
Turkey day has never been the same….I always think of Big Bird…
And I don’t have a recipe for that…
Katie Kliewer