The Blessing Boxes

The best holiday traditions start by accident or out of a moment of required imagination. Years ago we hosted Thanksgiving in our very first home, a little green house on the Southside. While obsessing over the turkey and trying to track down old family recipes from various out-of-town sisters, my two little boys were bored out of their skulls and desperately needed something to do. It was time for a project.

November 24, 2009; 12:00 PM • by Patience Salgado

The best holiday traditions start by accident or out of a moment of required imagination. Years ago we hosted Thanksgiving in our very first home, a little green house on the Southside with a backyard full of trees and lots of charm. While obsessing over the turkey and trying to track down old family recipes from various out-of-town sisters, my two little boys were bored out of their skulls and desperately needed something to do. Even the 232 Scooby-doo episodes had run their course. It was time for a project.

I dug around in an old craft box and found some paper boxes and paint. It seemed we had spent quite a bit of time counting our blessings, the gratitude was stacking, and so we decided to share that year and give blessings instead. I asked the kids if they wanted to paint the boxes and put their wishes for their family inside along with a dinner mint. Just the mere mention of the words candy and wishes in the same sentence is all it took.

Thanksgiving, 2004

They painted, repainted, and made a terrible mess while I was able to finish making the green bean supreme and two other side dishes. We all know it’s about the sides anyway; turkey is only the vessel which holds the glorious stuffing. The house started to fill with both food and blessing goodness.

“Mom, write this on that blessing: I hope you get a dog this year.” Josiah said. “That is my blessing, okay?”

We made all kinds of wishes for the people we love. Hope, peace, long days at the park, great love, and super skills to learn to ride your bike. It was the simple all mixed up with deep. The kids proudly handed out each box to every guest, wondering who would get what. Magically each blessing seemed to fit the person who received it.

The little people ask every year with out fail to make the blessing boxes, even the years I would rather skip. We even take them along if we travel to some other house, invading with tiny boxes, mints and traditions creating more gratitude for us all.

Ok, your turn

Tell us about your family’s Thanksgiving traditions…

Patience Salgado lives in a state of dreamy chaos with her husband Jorge and their four kids in the Westover Hills neighborhood. She slings a baby while she writes for Supersisters at PBSparents.org and tries to think up her next guerrilla goodness project.