I
love the holidays and this time of year. It always brings to mind
how
much I have to be thankful for—our family, our health, for the many blessings, but this year I get to add my first book with
Love inspired. I’m so grateful to the wonderful LI team and all
their hard work to get my book ready for publication.
But Thanksgiving also goes deeper…
When I set the table with my grandmother’s antique Haviland Bavaria china and mom’s silverware, memories from past years with family come flooding back. One Thanksgiving years ago, it was my turn to host the traditional family dinner. It snowed 15.6 inches in northern Illinois the night before. I had cooked and baked for two days and had tons of food and afraid we’d be eating a 25-pound turkey for a month. They plowed the roads and everyone made it. Now we go to South Carolina for the winter, but my grandson thought he’d send me a reminder of those days.
Yet Thanksgiving can be about remembering a family vacation like
the one we had three years ago with our son and his family in Michigan and visiting the dunes and enjoying beautiful Lake Michigan. Two years ago, it was about taking a cruise to Mexico with our other son and his wife.
Yes, Thanksgiving is all these things
and much, much more.
Thanksgiving isn’t about just one day,
it’s about all the memories, all the good times, all the people, and yes, it’s
about the food, too, and about sitting down together and joining hands in
prayer and making new memories. It’s about finding all that we have forgotten
about…
So what are your memories? Have you
found your Thanksgiving?
Posts
Good morning, Marie. Congratulations on your LI debut. I love your story of Thanksgiving. I could identify with the snow nearly derailing things. Several years ago, my husband and I drove to Maine to have Thanksgiving with my youngest daughter who lives there. We knew there was some snow predicted, but it came early. We were only 2 hours into our 7 hour drive when the rain changed over. We managed to stay ahead of it for most of the trip, but we had to pick our daughter up at 5 when she finished work. By the time we were driving back to the house, the snow had gotten so bad that power was out, the snowplows couldn't keep up, you couldn't see feet in front of you. It was terrifying. I still remember looking at the white in the headlights and then peeking out the back window and seeing darkness like I'd never seen before.
ReplyDeleteThank heaven, though my husband didn't think the car would make it up the last snow-coated incline, we made it safely. The next morning we had a beautiful, snow-covered Thanksgiving.
I hope everyone has a lovely day this year.
Wow, Cate, what a slightly scary but great Thanksgiving story that is to tell. But looking back now I bet it is a wonderful story for you to remember. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteMemories of growing up with family around the table. Most have gone on to be with the Lord now. Loved those Thanksgivings.
ReplyDeleteAh, Mary, I know what you mean. I really miss all those past Thanksgivings, too. Thank you for stopping by and sharing.
DeleteThanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love its premise.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a great holiday. Thanks, Margaret, for stopping by.
DeleteHi Marie! What a lovely, poignant post. Memories of our family gatherings and traditions is such a wonderful thing, especially when some of the ones we loved the most are no longer with us. I love the China pictures and the photos of your family vacations. Making memories is what life is all about! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Belle, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
DeleteSo lovely, Marie! Congrats on your debut novel! Yes, something for which all of us can be thankful. Love Amish stories!!! :)
ReplyDeleteFor me Thanksgiving is about being with family...just a few or the whole tribe! There's nothing better than sharing the day--and the season--with those we love.
I so agree, Debby, and so glad there is a day set aside to give thanks and places like this blog to share those memories. Thanks for stopping by.
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