The Great Thanksgiving Turkey Fiasco
(Guess what? You can read or hit the ‘plat’ button above and enjoy my very first ‘audio’ reading of this article for those that prefer a podcast feel over reading!)
Thanksgiving mornings are often a blend of chaos and tradition, but one particular Thanksgiving stands out in my memory over the others. My parents had traveled all the way from Florida to spend the holiday with us in Tennessee. My mom and I had great plans to wake up at 5 a.m. to prep the turkey for baking—a noble idea, considering neither of us are morning people.
The alarm went off, and there we were, stumbling into the kitchen (no joke) in the kind of early-morning haze that only non-morning people can truly understand. Coffee hadn’t been brewed yet, and we were running on pure Thanksgiving spirit. Or at least trying to.
Now, my mom has always believed in a good butter-covered turkey. “It makes it golden and juicy,” she insists. So, naturally, she grabbed the butter, patted a few pieces into her hand, and started applying it to the turkey. The only problem? The butter refused to cooperate. It slid right off, as if the turkey had decided it was too early for this nonsense, too.
She tried again—pat, pat, slide. And again—smack, smack, slide. By now, the hilarity of the situation had hit us both. Here we were, half-asleep, smacking butter onto a turkey that clearly had no intention of being coated, and we just lost it. We laughed so hard we couldn’t breathe, tears streaming down our faces.
The butter never really stuck, but you know what did? That moment of shared joy. What could’ve been frustrating turned into one of my favorite Thanksgiving memories.
That morning wasn’t just about the turkey (though it turned out delicious, for the record). It was a reminder of a beautiful lesson my mom has always modeled for me: when things don’t go as planned, choose laughter over frustration. Growing up, I never saw my mom lose her temper or stew in frustration. Instead, she always leaned into grace, love, and joy—even when life got messy.
That Thursday morning, her example shined brighter than ever. Grace over perfection, joy over annoyance—that’s how my mom taught me to approach life, and that’s the heart of Thanksgiving.
So, this Thanksgiving, remember that the real feast isn’t in the perfect turkey or flawless mashed potatoes. It’s in the laughter, love, and memories we share with the people around the table. So, when the butter won’t stick or the gravy boils over, or the rolls burn, take a deep breath and choose joy. Because the greatest gifts we share this holiday aren’t on our plates—they’re in our hearts.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
May this verse be a reminder that Thanksgiving is about more than the meal; it’s about gratitude for God’s enduring love and the blessings He’s poured into our lives. Even in the little moments—like butter that just won’t stick—His goodness shines through.
Happy Thanksgiving!