I am a baby boomer, born post-World War II. My parents' generation is known as “the Greatest Generation.” My dad is a World War II Navy veteran; his last assignment at age 20 was the invasion of Okinawa. Today he is 95 and mom is 88.
They tell us that we grew up in an “Ozzie and Harriet” time.
In 1943, Norman Rockwell released his famous painting, titled “Freedom from Want.” This painting was a celebration of Thanksgiving and appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post magazine. My dad remembers Rockwell's painting vividly; he told me that at age 9 he sold subscriptions to The Saturday Evening Post and always looked forward to the Rockwell covers when new issues came out – as did America.
Several years ago, we were cooking at the James Beard House in New York City and nearby there was a shop displaying an original print of “Freedom from Want,” which I bought. Rockwell's painting depicts a large family, seated around the dining room table with smiles, while the mom and dad present the Thanksgiving turkey. This iconic image captures the American spirit of family together, celebrating Thanksgiving dinner. We are honored to display this work of art every year in our restaurant during the holiday season.
But the plot thickens. My 6-year-old grandson came to our house last week after virtual school. He immediately went to a small desk where his drawing pens and paper are stored and asked me what he should draw. I said, “Paint a turkey.” He said, “I don't know how.” I pointed to a painting of a turkey in our kitchen and minutes later he presented me with a beautifully drawn turkey, somewhat resembling the painting. He went back to drawing.
Later I was interrupted with, “Papu, (that's what he calls me) I have a Thanksgiving picture for you.” His new drawing reflected his image of Thanksgiving dinner; a long table with only two people, a mom and a turkey on one end and a dad and a turkey on the other end, and a beautiful chandelier above.
I loved it!
My grandson's image of Thanksgiving dinner today is remarkably different from Rockwell's image of 77 years ago. This 6-year-old's drawing reflects social distancing, two turkeys, only two people and a beautiful chandelier. It inspired me to think about how different his world is from the world I grew up in as well as what first lady Barbara Bush once said: “It's not about what happens in the White House; it's about what happens in your house.” She nailed it!
We have a beautiful grandfather clock dating from 1778 in our dining room.
Every Thanksgiving, we have a tradition of listening to the clock's chimes at dinner.
This reminds our family that when our country was just becoming a country, a family such as ours listened to the same chimes from this clock as they celebrated their Thanksgiving dinner.
Today, Thanksgiving is still family together, personally or virtually, social distancing or not, two turkeys or one – it doesn't matter. While times have changed, one thing has not: the timeless celebration of family and the freedom to do so.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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'Freedom' of thought | Columns - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
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