Thanksgiving is a great time of the year.
My wife Pat and I always look forward to Turkey Day. Once again we are really excited because our family is getting together and that includes our daughter Meghan, her husband Terry and their son Liam, (our grandson).
Missing this year will be Pat’s mom Ruth, who passed away the first week in October. Ruth always began planning early for the holidays. She would start in October figuring out what she could make, before her health began to decline.
It’s actually the sixth Thanksgiving for the little guy.
Our son-in-law Terry is preparing the turkey. Meghan said he enjoys doing it and we are all for it.
Meghan and Terry have invited us to their house today because Terry is able to be off.
Pat won’t to make quite as much for today since it’s at their house. With Terry handling the turkey and Meghan preparing most of the other dishes, Pat told me she will be making the dressing, and that will be scrumptious as always, along with a corn casserole.
Pat through, may offer to bring something else.
My main job this year is just being around to do anything anybody needs or wants me to do, but staying out of the kitchen.
Thanksgiving is a time for family to gather and enjoy one another and to remind ourselves why we should be grateful.
As I think about this month being one of gratitude, especially this day, I reflect on some things for which I’m grateful.
Among them are my family, our extended family, my reasonably good health, still being able to work, ability to drive, having good friends and knowing that I have what I consider a spiritual relationship with my Creator.
Even though I always enjoy the meal, what is best about the day is having the family together, sitting down, giving thanks and just visiting. Too often we don’t slow down long enough to appreciate each other as we should.
This year, it will also mean helping keep up with little Liam, maybe tossing around some of his balls. If it’s nice enough, we’ll go outside. He loves to go out and enjoy his backyard.
I like to reflect when I was a kid and growing up and the large Thanksgiving gatherings we would have at my grandparents on my mother’s side of the family.
For some reason, as I grow older, family has just become more important to me and I’ve learned better to appreciate that time we get to spend together on the holidays.
Today, with Pat, Meghan and little Liam, that represents three generations of Pat’s family that will be together. That’s pretty special!
Hoping everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday.
Eat lots of turkey and everything else that goes with it.