Thanksgivings Present and Past!

"I've got so much, so much, so much to be THANKFUL for!" Do you know that song?

The sentiment is certainly true for me this morning. Thanksgiving is on the horizon. It is probably one of my favorite holidays. I would like to think it is because we celebrate our blessings, see family and friends, revel in the non-commercialization of the holiday, but if I am really honest, I think I love it cause I love dressing. I hardly eat it any other time of the year, but I LOVE IT! I love it cold, hot, just made, or days old. It is not the healthiest item on the table - but it is definitely (for me anyway) one of the reason I celebrate the day!

In all seriousness though, I do love the holiday. I am a tradition type of gal, love the rituals we follow every year, like to see the decorations that bring back memories of Turkey Days past, love the idea of all I love gathered in one place.

I grew up as an only child and an army brat. My family consisted of me, mom and daddy. And most years we were far from the big bustling side of our family. I can remember wonderful Thanksgivings as a child - I was never deprived. We even got to spend one Thanksgiving Day freezing to death along the route of the Macy's Day Parade in New York City and then got to eat Chinese food after that....(kinda like the family in A Christmas Story!! Fra, Ra, Ra, Ra!!)

We moved back home when I was in the seventh grade. It was then that my grandmother introduced me to soap operas. I remember watching how the soap opera families (they were always big!) celebrated the holidays...always a big production, picture perfect table, decorations, outfits -- somewhere in my mind I determined that was how to celebrate. I can remember being vividly disappointed when my dad's family (all 100 of them) wanted to celebrate in a borrowed church fellowship hall. CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL - why I had spent too many Wednesday night suppers and Sunday night youth fellowships in those to want to celebrate hearth and home in a cold, sterile fellowship hall. I believe I put my proverbial foot down and my parents consented to driving me "home to Mississippi" where my Aunt Nell would put out a proper feast for all the family. We started doing this and continued this tradition for many years. It felt right to me, Thanksgiving celebrated around a table, with family and LEFTOVERS!!

I have been privileged since those years to encounter many other ways of celebrating the day. I was once a part of a Thanksgiving celebration that started early that morning at a soup kitchen, serving others and then the day continued with a big spread and many guests, some family, and others with no family to celebrate with invited as well. I remember that house being crowded with extra tables being set out - but it was cozy with the love and real thankfulness.

I have hosted Thanksgiving at my home for the nearly the last seventeen years. It has always been lots of work, but always lots of fun for me. Our family has grown in the last four years and now my daughter sits among us to give us all an even bigger reason to be thankful.

This year, we are traveling to visit family once again for the holiday. That means no preparation for me in this house. I am sure I will be in the kitchen when we arrive on the other end...but my house is staying clean and calm. I am learning that Thanksgiving is more a day to be calm and reflect, and not worry and fret over details. I am sure the napkins won't have festive fall cornucopias on them, the butter will not be molded into the shape of turkey and maybe even some of my favorite dishes won't be served, but it will be a Thanksgiving to remember, spent with family from far away. Oh - and yes, there will be dressing. The best kind - my aunt is the Queen of dressing.

I am learning to let it all go, in all areas of my life, to just sit and enjoy being with the ones I love, and that is something to be thankful for.