Celebrating Thanksgiving
As it was now the end of October. The weather had turned cooler. Maria and Isabel made sure the children had found their sweaters. It surprised neither lady that several had outgrown theirs. They made another trip to the shopping district with Brigitta, Marta and Gretl.
They not only bought new sweaters but they also picked up a few items at the Safeway Grocery Store. When they passed by the meat department they saw a sign.
Avoid the rush.
Order your Thanksgiving turkey now.
"Katia, do you anything about a Thanksgiving turkey?"
"I don't know anything about Thanksgiving. I think a turkey is a bird."
"Mother, I can tell you about Thanksgiving"
"Tell us what you know, Brigitta."
"Thanksgiving is an American holiday. It's always on a Thursday in November and school is cancelled for Friday too. Most families meet at one person's house to celebrate."
"What does it celebrate?"
"It was first held in one of the original colonies in Plymouth Massachusetts. The Indians had shared seeds with them and taught them how to grow them. The food saved their lives. They came together to give thanks."
"Now who can tell me about these Indians?"
"I can Mother."
"I'm listening, Marta"
"They lived here before anyone from Europe found America."
"I see. Do the Indians still celebrate with the Americans?"
"I don't think so, Mother."
"Katia, we can't reserve a turkey until I talk to Georg."
"That's fine. I'm sure there will be turkeys to reserve a few days from now."
The three children ran on ahead. The three ladies followed at a slower pace. And Maria wondered if Georg knew about this holiday.
She wouldn't be the first to talk him when he came home. Gretl ran to him the moment he came in the door.
"Father, are we going to celebrate Thanksgiving?"
Georg dropped his satchel and reached for her. He swung her up to him as she squealed.
Maria stood near-by watching them. She loved seeing him give attention to all the children but it was especially heartwarming for her to see him with Gretl.
"That's a mighty big word for my youngest child."
"I know it is. I learned it today at the grocery store.
"Tell me again what you learned about."
"Thanksgiving, Father."
"I don't know that word. What do we celebrate?"
"The Indians, Father."
"I need to ask your mother." He tapped her on the nose after he had put her down. She ran off.
Maria became visible to him. "She's half right, Georg. When America was settled by the Europeans, they found other people who lived here. I don't know when or how they were given the name Indians.
"The children have been studying the early history of America. Brigitta told Katia and I all about them. In one place where these pilgrims landed up north these natives befriended them. They had run out of food. The Indians taught them how and what to plant and also shared their crops with them. Somehow they came together for a time of thanks.
"According to Brigitta, it's an American holiday now. It's always on a Thursday in November and school is cancelled for Friday too. Most families meet at one person's house to celebrate."
"What triggered this conversation?"
"A sign at the grocery store to reserve your Thanksgiving turkey now."
"It sounds like an important holiday to Americans. I'll need to ask tomorrow if the midshipman have off those days. Something tells me, they do. Now, let me greet you properly."
Maria smiled as she said. "Please do."
The two shared a romantic passionate kiss or two. "There's more tonight, darling."
"I can hardly wait, sweetheart."
At dinner time, everyone learned more history about America. All children needed to pass an examination on it in order to graduate. They would continue to share what they learned with the others.
It was a few days later when a letter arrived for Maria. It was another letter from the Kellers. She read it quickly.
"Franz, they want us to come join them to celebrate Thanksgiving with them."
"All of us."
"Yes, it says here there is a train to Philadelphia. From there we board another train to a city in New Jersey named, Vineland. Harold and several of his friends will meet us there. I can't wait to tell Georg."
That afternoon, Maria waited for him on the porch. She saw him in the distance and went running to meet him. As soon as she was close, she blurted out.
"The Kellers have invited us to spend Thanksgiving weekend with them."
"How wonderful, Maria. I have news too. The men do have the weekend off; not only to celebrate Thanksgiving but to travel to Philadelphia for a game of what the Americans call football against the men from the Army Academy in New York State. Did Harold say how we should travel?"
"He did. We too need to go to Philadelphia on a train. Once we are there we board another train to Vineland New Jersey. He and his friends will meet us there."
They shared this news with the family. Now Katia knew she wouldn't need to reserve a turkey nor learn how to cook one. Everyone began to count down the days to this holiday.
This time of waiting brought the family back to the clothing stores to buy winter coats. They had been told that the winters were normally mild in this part of America known as mid-America. The coldest winters were in the states in the north and the warmest were in the south. They knew they would not have the freezing temperatures and the snow like they had in Austria. Even so, Maria knew they would each need something warmer than a sweater.
At Harold's suggestion they took an early train from Annapolis on Thanksgiving Day. Their dinner would be served around two in the afternoon. The day was perfect for a late autumn. They were very glad for the mild temperatures since their meal would be eaten under a large tent.
They enjoyed foods which were new to all of them. Among them was the turkey bird. Several women in addition to Claire had prepared one. Katia learned the simple ingredients which made the stuffing; they were cubes of bread which were seasoned with Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, onion, celery, salt and pepper. All of which were loosely packed into the cavity of the bird and it had been slow cooked for hours.
Other new foods were Sweet Potatoes, green beans crusted with French Onions, a jelled salad made from cranberries and an assortment of breads and rolls. And later after they walked off all the food they ate, everyone enjoyed a piece of either Pumpkin Pie or Mincemeat Pie. The later only some of the adults ate; all the children had the Pumpkin Pie with a large dollop of whipped cream on top.
The meals for the next days were simpler and no one overate. This family had the best time. They met the Kellers new friends. They learned that their families had come to America after the Great War. And how they hoped other families would do the same before their means of transportation to America was no more.
When they returned home, Georg began to wonder about Max. He had learned the Germans planned to conquer England by dropping bombs. He also learned that the British were prepared. They had miles of tubes for very fast underground trains; they were being converted to use a bomb shelters.
His wondering thoughts about his safety would soon be answered. Max had already experienced several drills so the authorities could test the sirens and time how long it took for people to recognize the sound and get inside a shelter.
Max didn't like this at all; he was not a risk taker. He found the American Embassy. There he applied to immigrate to America.
Over the next couple of days, the American officials verified his status. He was listed as man without a country; they granted him a Visa.
Now he needed to find a way to travel there. He already knew that many cruise ships had made their last voyage to America. He got lucky. The SS Normandie had returned to pick up thousands of still stranded Americans. He was able to obtain a ticket. Like the Keller's travel on this ship, there were battleship escorts.
This ship made it to America in four days. It docked in the Port of New York City. Max had easily found the train terminal; it was difficult to miss. Its name Grand Central Station described it perfectly. He knew Georg was in Annapolis.
He was surprised to learn there was a train which went directly there. His travel took him through New Jersey. He first saw mountains in the distance and then passed through the now almost barren fields in the south.
The train did pick up passengers in Philadelphia and also in what Max learned was America's capital, Washington, D.C. It also stopped in Baltimore Maryland on its way to Annapolis.
Once he disembarked, he asked to be directed to military housing used by the Naval Academy. It was a short walk there. It was a nice day for the second week of December.
He now stood in front of a large house. He thought. I bet this is Georg's home. It certainly is big enough. He didn't hear children's voices. They were still in school.
He decided to go ring the doorbell. He rang it only once. He heard a voice. "Now who could that be?"
He was almost positive it belonged to Maria. He placed his bags on the ground. He was prepared to give her a hug.
Maria was a little hesitant; they rarely had visitors unless the children were home. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
For a second her mind couldn't believe her eyes. Then she screamed. "Max."
Franz and Isabel came running not believing their ears. But they did believe their eyes.
"Our prayers have been answered. Come in."
Hugs abounded. "The children have been asking about you. Georg assured them you were safe. But I know he prayed you would eventually come to America. What made you decide?"
"All the preparation for bomb shelters."
"Max, have you eaten lately?"
"I could use a snack to hold me to dinner, Katia."
"I always give the children a snack when they get home. We'll get a head start."
Max left his bags at the entrance as Maria led the way. "I can't believe you found a home as large as the villa."
"When they children come home they can show you our huge backyard."
Soon Maria heard the children. "I wonder where Mother is."
"Maybe she's already in the dining room with her cup of tea."
Max heard them too. He stood to be able to receive their hugs. They froze in place when they saw him.
"Uncle Max, seeing you is an answer to our prayers."
"Thank you, Liesl. Now all of you come give your uncle a hug. I've missed you."
"Father, is going to be very surprised."
"When is he due home, Friedrich?"
"Usually around four, Max." Maria answered.
"Come let us show you our back yard." Gretl said as she took his hand. He was impressed. He left the children to go with Maria to wait for Georg.
Max stayed on the porch when Maria left to greet her husband. "Why such a big smile, darling?"
"You'll see."
Max now came off the porch and slowly walked towards them. He saw Georg blink twice. "You're not seeing things, Georg."
The two men embraced. "Now, our family is complete."
And it was. This family would soon celebrate a very merry and blessed Christmas and a week later they would begin a new year.
And so I conclude my story.
A/N: As I have written after other stories, I never intended to follow this family for many years. I had always planned that after Max arrived I would end it.
This like many other stories was only another way of how Georg and Maria found their love and married; and like in fairytales, lived happily.
Perhaps the nursery was put to use on more than one occasion. And the couple probably celebrated the weddings of their children and then the birth of grandchildren.
And in time each would become an American citizen, although, they never forgot Austria. They sang Edelweiss often. And all the children had taught it to their classmates.
The words bless my homeland forever, continued to be thought of as a prayer. And Austria did become a separate country again. She took her rightful place in the world of nations.
And now because of the Sound of Music, Salzburg Austria is blessed by 6.5 million people who visit it every year in search of the venues from the movie.
Finally, I want to thank all my reviewers. I have sent them personal thank you notes but I do want to thank my guest reviewer – Maria. She has been faithful in reviewing every chapter; for that I repeat, I thank you.