I think I fussed over this dinner more than I haveA ever done for our Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter dinners in years past. I had prepared a roast and potatoes as well as my mama's coleslaw and my own creamed corn. For desert, I'd fixed a chocolate meringue pie – my specialty, always in high demand at Church suppers and the kids' bake sales. Our dinner table was set with our best china and silverware – I even got out the good linen napkins that rarely saw the light of day outside of Christmas dinner.

I wasn't wearing my Sunday best for the dinner, but rather a new dress I'd...