Turkey Panic

Defrosting the freezer always uncovers mysteries--like why am I saving a bag with three pecans rattling around? Some things I can only guess, the brussell sprouts and cauliflower were probably bought in a venegeful moment, as not everyone in the family likes them. Since they were shoved to a far corner of the freezer, whatever wrong was done must have been forgiven before dinnertime. While I am keeping the unpopular vegetables, I threw out the package of pizza snack rolls that expired in July 2007. My favorite freezer find is the 18-pound Butterball Turkey. As I dug it out from underneath a monster-sized bag of chicken wings (what party were they earmarked for?), I remember the turkey purchase last May. My oldest daughter Daisy was graduating from high school. I was cool and collected about the event as graduation is pretty much a given in our family. Or at least I thought I was. I bought the turkey in a sudden panic, thinking about how many people were coming into town and wondering how I'd possibly feed them. At that moment, I realized that high school graduation, however taken for granted it might be, is a big deal. It's a sure sign that the fledgling is preparing to leave the nest. Having waded through that brief foray of deep thinking, I was stuck with the turkey. Reclaiming my grip on reality, I remembered that my town has plenty of restaurants. I tried to pass the turkey on to my mother, the only one who would cook it well, as a bubblewrapped, pillowcase-enclosed Mother's Day gift. She laughed and didn't take it with her. Much of the summer, the turkey languished in its pillowcase in the freezer. The pillowcase and bubblewrap finally made their way back to wherever those things lurk. And the turkey with its Butterball-wrapper slowly rolled toward the bottom corner of the freezer. Now it's front and middleshelved, a reminder that Daisy is doing just fine; her mom is, too; and the restaurant bills are paid.