We set aside one day a year to gather our famlies, eat way too much food, and give thanks for what we have, but somewhere along the way Thanksgiving just became that long weekend we get off between Halloween and Christmas. I don’t know, it could just be me, but I can’t help but wonder, How did we get here?

I remember how hard Thanksgiving was for our family. We were always a couple of hours away from wherever the family was gathering, and with four children, there was always at least one that didn’t want to make the trip. Struggle to get on the road. Struggle to go everywhere we needed to go, and in the end we were always tired for the long drive home. But we did go and we did spend the day with family, and I would not have had it any other way. Family is important. So I guess family was one of the things I was thankful for back then, and I still am.

Now my family is grown, and the age I remember being when we were trying to get out of the house on time without starting a war. The girls have all settled in the same area now, and we are about four hours away. It’s a much more relaxed time now for us, and we have elected to do the traveling. We always have a great time!

I wish Thanksgiving held more weight than it does now. I don’t celebrate Halloween but I love Christmas with all my heart. Why the big rush though? Why can’t we wait until Thanksgiving dinner has digested before we throw up the tree and start roaming the stores for things we really don’t need? Maybe Thanksgiving would be bigger if it involved a tree and gifts. Turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie can’t compete with Santa and Rudolph and presents under a tree.

Half of the things that I’m thankful for this year would alienate half of our population, so I won’t list them but I will say this…

I’m healthy and happy.

I don’t have everything that I want but I have everything that I need.

All in all I have a lot to be thankful for, and I am.

ws