Author: Church Hindes, President and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties
It’s been 16 years since our family celebrated Thanksgiving during my father-in-law, Dick Lanou’s, stay at Vermont Respite House. That year, we gathered with other families—essentially strangers bound together by having a loved one at the House.
This started a tradition for our family, a way to give thanks for the wonderful care given at the House. Every year since that Thanksgiving, our family pulls together our annual “Respite House Blizzard Meal” (typically a ginormous homemade chicken pot pie, French apple pie and green bean casserole) all frozen and tightly wrapped. Soon after we tuck our turkey into the oven, our annual frozen repast is delivered to Respite House.
On arrival, the maestro of the House’s kitchen takes the food from us and stashes it away in the big freezer to wait for that very snowy day when the roads are closed—usually in January as we understand. Our meal will then be thawed out and served to all takers.
When we arrived this year with our donation, the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas and the chef of the day had everything in good order for the residents’ Thanksgiving dinner. One or two 30-pound birds are typically donated for this occasion. The chef had the turkeys already quartered and roasting directly on large pans of stuffing. (They cook faster that way without drying out, he says.) The wings and bits sat gurgling in a pot nearby, transforming water into stock. The gravy was thickening in its small caldron. Some vegetables—green beans and multi-colored diced peppers were neatly arrayed on the sheet pan to be cooked and served. Others—like the potatoes to be mashed—were still in the pot. Rolls, cranberries and all the usual accoutrements were in different stages of readiness. It all looked just like the scene at thousands of homes across our communities. Donated desserts covered nearly every free counter top.
When asked how many were planned for the Respite House Thanksgiving dinner, the chef replied that there would be eleven residents and 30 guests. This is about as big as it gets for Thanksgiving at the House. One resident had requested a table for twelve—they were set up in the conference room. The living room had been converted to seat other residents and guests as was the usual dining room.
So much to be thankful for, so much to reminisce, so many reasons for hearty laughter, and for hugs that are hard to let go. One of the most special times and places in our region is Thanksgiving at Respite House. A supper that families will remember always.