The Connection

As Thanksgiving approaches, feelings of gratitude abound along with anticipation of gatherings filled with special memories and meals.

Following two years of scaled back and even virtual celebrations, family and friends are enthusiastically looking forward to the return of large family gatherings and the preparation of traditional family recipes.

“My memories of Thanksgiving are of my mother’s yeast rolls and her pineapple upside down cake,” said Terance Sears, husband to Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears. “She passed in 2018 but my sister still makes the rolls. But since Winsome became Lieutenant Governor, our lives have definitely changed. Our schedule is on a day-to-day basis so I am not sure when we will be able to gather with family and I will have the chance to taste those rolls again.”

The opportunity to bring together generations of family members is at the top of the list for 91-year-old Charles Nelson,

“Anytime you can have your family with you for the holidays, that’s a blessing within itself,” said the Air Force veteran.

Gilberto Barrientos has another reason to be thankful.

“I am thankful that my son finished college at George Mason,” Barrientos said. “He is the first in the family to finish college and is working and doing really good. I could not ask for anything more.”

SOFIA MELENDEZ CONTRAS AND ERIC TWYMAN - I am very thankful for my family and my marriage. I love my husband and am thankful for the time we get to spend together while my husband Eric is thankful for golf.

NADIR ELLHIJJI – For Thanksgiving at Del Ray Cafe I will fuse together Moroccan and American traditions. I will invite some American friends to see that turkey can be cooked in different ways and not always what you expect. This year I will make turkey with lemon and olives stuffed with vermicelli and with mushrooms. Plus, I will be cooking some lamb shoulders and some vegetarian options.

TERANCE SEARS – My memories of Thanksgiving are of my mother’s yeast rolls and her pineapple upside down cake. She passed in 2018 but my sister still makes the rolls. But since Winsome became Lieutenant Governor, our lives have definitely changed. Our schedule is on a day-to-day basis so I am not sure when we will be able to gather with family and I will have the chance to taste those rolls again.

LEO PANELLA -  I am thankful for the Marines and everyone who protects our country.

CHARLES NELSON – At 91 years old, I have so many things to be thankful for. I am especially thankful for my family – my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. So many people do not live to be 90 years of age. Anytime you can have your family with you for the holidays, that’s a blessing within itself.

CLAUDIA JOHNSON – I am thankful for my growing family! My husband Dillon and I can’t wait to welcome our first little boy in January. He is already so loved by family and friends and we are so excited to meet him.

GILBERTO BARRIENTOS – I am thankful that my son finished college at George Mason. He is the first in the family to finish college and is working and doing really good. I could not ask for anything more.

JERRY FILE – I am very thankful for the wonderful family that I have and the opportunity to spend time with them at Thanksgiving.

BOB MARTINI – For Thanksgiving I am going to have some traditional cranberry orange relish. We are going out to dinner so I am not making it but will order it. I have had it since I was young even though my mother probably bought it and didn’t make it either.

“Anytime you can have your family with you for the holidays, that’s a blessing within itself.”

— Nonagenarian Charles Nelson