Tracy Thomas / Ruth Thomas / Taylor Thomas

A Thomas FAMILY CHRISTMAS

TRACY THOMAS (Daughter) RUTH THOMAS (Mother) TAYLOR THOMAS (Granddaughter)

It was Christmas 2019, we went to our home in Milwaukee to celebrate Christmas with my mom at her house. The house I grew up in. The home that I spent many happy Christmas holidays. We began this Christmas like so many others, waking up to the smell of my mother cooking breakfast and the sound of Christmas music playing in the background. Immediately after we washed the breakfast dishes, my mom began preparing dinner. As long as I can remember, I have always been the dressing taster before the final mixture went into the oven. I enjoyed listening to my mom tell my daughter Taylor stories of how she started cooking at the young age of 12. I am the keeper of memories and captured many images and videos of my mom, Taylor, and I cooking, baking, and laughing together. There’s nothing sweeter than Grandma’s hands, heart, and cooking.

What we will do differently with family this Christmas because of COVID-19 is to celebrate it virtually with my mother. She will guide me on how to make some of my favorite dishes. The traditions that we will miss this year because of COVID-19 are my mom and I wrapping Taylor’s gifts the night before Christmas. Waking up to the smell of breakfast cooking and Christmas music playing. Tasting my mom’s dressing mixture.

What I am planning to do to put “Joy” in our Christmas 2020 is to teach my mom how to use technology so she can watch me prepare our dinner and so she can see Taylor open her Christmas gifts. What we will be most thankful for is even though we will not be in one place together, we will rejoice in the fact that we are still here on earth together.

The words of wisdom that I would like to share with other mothers and daughters is to cherish every moment. Live, love, and laugh often.