Our Thanksgiving

We waved until we couldn’t see their cars any longer. As we closed the door, she turned her face towards mine. Her eyes got big.

“Mommy, what… why… what’s this?” she asked as she put her finger on the tear rolling down my cheek.

“I’m just a little sad.” I replied. After all these years I still can’t watch my family leave with dry eyes.

“But… are you still happy?” she asked.

I laughed through my tears, “Yes, my love, I’m happy too.” And we walked back into our quiet house.

We started Thanksgiving early this year. My mom and aunt arrived on Tuesday. My dad and uncle joined us on Thursday. Five days straight of family, food, fun, festivity. Special pick-ups from school and grandparent’s day. Long afternoons sitting around and talking. Evenings curled up, chatting or watching movies. Lots of cooking and baking and trips to Starbucks for pumpkin spice lattes and peppermint hot chocolates.

I love walking into my kitchen, seeing it all a bustle. Family making themselves at home, settling into my kitchen as if it was theirs.

I love walking into my daughter’s playroom, hearing the laughter spilling out through the halls. Aunts and uncles and grandparents wanting nothing more than to sit and play tic-tac-toe or give a baby-doll a checkup.

I love filling every chair (and then some) around my dining table.

I love waking up in the morning, making pot after pot of coffee, quiet good mornings turning into afternoons of playtime and conversation.

I love having my family around me.

It’s like one big celebration.

This year was the best Thanksgiving I can remember. Surrounded by my favorite people. So much to be thankful for, so many blessings. The kind of blessings that are right in front of my face. Wonderful family. Good health. Brilliant opportunities. To be living here and now. So fortunate and in such a special time. So much love surrounding me. So much love I want to wrap around those close to me. Living fulfilled.

With all the hustle and bustle I didn’t find a moment to pause and reflect much on those things. Instead, I just lived up in the moment. Recognizing that the way to truly show how grateful I am for what I have is to truly enjoy what I have.

And so I did.

Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!