It was my very first attempt at preparing a complete Thanksgiving dinner. As I read the endless recipe suggestions in my favorite cook book I wondered, 'Why, oh why, did I ever invite guests to dinner?' I chided myself, 'You don't even know the first thing about making such a feast! What are you going to do now?'

With much apprehension I began making a menu. Thanksgiving dinner was, after all, traditional. There was little room for decision making: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, rolls and, of course, pumpkin pie. Those were the absolute necessities I remembered from the wonderful meals Mom, Grandma and my Aunt had always prepared. But they were a thousand miles away and the entire meal was up to me. 'Thank goodness,' I sighed, 'Louise offered to bring the pies. That's one worry I can cross off my list!'

Finally, the day arrived. The refrigerator was bulging, the result of yesterday's grocery shopping expedition. I had calculated precisely when the turkey must be stuffed and ready to cook. Very carefully I re-read every instruction in the recipes. I'd cubed the bread and chopped the onions and celery for the stuffing the night before. Today it was only a matter of cooking the onions and celery in the butter, tossing with the bread crumbs and adding the seasonings, then stuffing the turkey and putting it into the oven.

My careful planning paid off and every item on the menu was well on the way to being ready shortly after the guests were to arrive. I even found myself humming a favorite Thanksgiving hymn and actually looking forward to sharing our bounty with friends.

Louise, Bob and their children arrived right on time. Soon we were seated around the kitchen table which was covered with our finest wedding gift tablecloth. Candles and fresh flowers from our back yard, still untouched by frost, added just the right festive touch for the occasion. We bowed heads as my husband, Will, offered a prayer of gratitude for our many blessings.

I was so proud of the beautifully browned turkey which seemed very tender as Will carved and placed pieces on the serving platter. The dishes were passed and we began to eat. 'It's actually good!' I thought. The turkey was, indeed, tender. The bean casserole tasted just like Mom made and even the gravy was pretty good, not too lumpy like it often was when I got in too much of a hurry. But then I tasted the stuffing ... 'Oh, no! It's too salty!' I nearly choked as I quickly reached for my glass of water. It wasn't just salty; it was SALTY!

Will and Louise offered reassuring words implying the stuffing wasn't really too bad. But it was our friend Bob who said words of kindness I will never forget. "It is salty," he agreed. Then with twinkling eyes and a huge smile, he continued, "but it's just the way I like it!"

Had we not both been happily married, I would have proposed to him on the spot. He had caused the tension to melt from me while bringing a chuckle to everyone. And he had unknowingly given me something I would remember for many years afterward.

Later I would discover that the excessive saltiness was the result of a misprint in the cookbook. But that really didn't matter. There have been many "salty" meals, burned foods and total cooking flops in the many years since that time -- many of my own and some of cooks where I have been the guest. No matter the occasion, I think back with gratitude to my first Thanksgiving dinner effort and echo those precious words that meant so much to me, "Yes, it's salty. But it's just the way I like it!"

Certainly, this year has held difficult days for each of us, our families and our nation. Some difficulties, no doubt, have been worse than others for you, as for me and mine. But, in spite of the trying times, let us join hearts and souls in thankfulness for all blessings of the past, even as we ask God to bless and protect our country through these frightening days and to hear our prayers for peace in our families, our country and our world.

And if a part of your feast is "salty," may it be "just the way you like it."