As much food as we had, there was more in the pantry ready to fill spots as empty dishes were cleared from the make-shift buffet line.
One of the bowls that had my attention was the family recipe for twice-baked potatoes.
Those are the potatoes we planted back on Good Friday, and thanks to the straw cover we were able to harvest and eat potatoes by mid summer. It's a way my grandparents are part of this family celebration with "their" potatoes on the dinner table.
I think I counted 50 people in the house as Pastor Bob got everyone's attention and had us form a circle holding hands.
My brother Danny with his kids; Marie, and Mike were standing in the kitchen. Scotty, Julie, and their family were among a half-dozen people down the line standing in front of the living room window. Rich and his girlfriend were in the dining room with John and Julie Johnson. Mike and Ben Miller and their wives were part of the prayer chain as it wound its way around three card tables tucked into the turret on the edge of the living room.
The Hoppsbergers and Christophersons arrived with Oscar just in time for the prayer, their Packer hats folded under their arms as a hush fell over the room. Mr. Post from the bank and close friends Henry, Carol, Nancy, and Ken were in the chain closest to the buffet. Jacob and his buddies from the Fire Department were called away by the fire siren before we could start.
My wife had organized the multi-family Thanksgiving celebration and as Bob took a breath to begin the prayer, I saw her dab her forehead before closing her eyes and bowing her head.
"Dear Lord, we thank you for every blessing. The blessings we notice and the ones we miss. We thank you for a great harvest, good health, and good friends. We thank you Father for John and Julie being with us today - please continue to bless them with what they need as they look to you during John's health setbacks. Thank you for this food, the hands that prepared it, and those that grew it from your creation. We thank you and pray in the name of your Son, our Savior. Amen"
Prayer finished, we asked Mr. Post and those near him to find a plate and make their way through the buffet. Quiet conversations grew in volume until the house was alive with the sound of love and fellowship as the buffet was cleaned and cleared and each of us had more than enough to eat.
After the Pumpkin, Apple, and Pecan pies were all put away there was a bit of a hush in the room.
My turn.
"Friends, we're glad you could be with us today for Thanksgiving. It's great to see John and Julie and so many special friends and beloved members of the family crowded into our first floor - who knew we could squeeze this many in here?
"I'd like to start by thanking Jacob and all our friends and neighbors who serve as volunteer first responders - even as they are serving others right now. They were right here when Harmon and I and the rest of the family needed them the most. Thank you.
"Thanks to Rich and Scotty and each and every on of you who helped the Johnson family this year. John and Julie, we continue to stand with you.
"Our family has been blessed to live and farm in this valley for more than a hundred years, and Lord willing, we will be here another 100. Scotty and Rich have plans we think will help all of us secure that future. We'll tell you more about it in detail in a more formal setting when we can drag Mr. Post away from the pie and ice cream (those sitting near Ray laugh as he looks up).
"But today, I'm glad to tell you that each family in this township is receiving an ownership share in the venture for our future. We saw how we could do this while we were helping John and Julie plant their fields and then bring in the harvest. It's unusual, but with help from the Extension Agents working at the U.W. we see a bright future in store for each of us.
"It's our way to say thanks and to work with the best people on earth - our family and friends right here at home."
You can read the whole series here.
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