Thankful for Thanksgiving

It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week!  Where has this year gone?  (I think I say that about this time every year.)  I love fall and especially Thanksgiving.  It is the one truly American holiday and it has not become commercialize, much.  Thanksgiving, for most people, is about giving thanks to God for all the wonderful things we are privileged to have in the United States.  Of course, Thanksgiving is also about the food.  Our six-year granddaughter has been learning about Thanksgiving at school.  She is very excited about the "feast" this year.  The "feast" at our house consists of the same food every year.  It is a tradition.  My brother makes the turkey.  I used to make the dressing but my niece wanted to learn so now she has that task (which is fine by me).  My youngest daughter has perfected my mother's candied yams so that is her assignment.  My sister always makes some scrumptious dessert!  As for me, I supply the location and the trimmings.  My husband and I love to entertain so for us it is pure joy to have family gather around our large table for a meal.  I think I will set my parent's china this year.  My father passed away 7 years ago and my mom is in a nursing home so it is a way to include them in this most special day.  We will also wait for my sister-in-law to get off work at Opryland Hotel before we eat.  After all, the fact that she is back to work is something for which to be thankful.

How thankful I am

It's been a difficult summer.  It's kind of been a difficult year actually.  But through the problems of life, there are things for which to be thankful.  My mom has a rare form of dementia called Lewy Body Dementia.  It is sort of like Alzheimer's except the person has some short-term memory and knows something is wrong.  Her reality is all mixed up with her dreams and hallucinations.  She falls often and has broken three bones in the last year.  She does know us and that is a blessing.  Her health has deteriorated at an alarming rate this year and we are well aware that our time with her is short.  I am thankful for time.

Our youngest daughter was laid off from her job last December.  Considering how talented she is, we assumed she would have another job in no time but that was not the case.  As summer came, it was apparent that she was not going to be able to pay her mortgage.  Luckily, she was able to move in with her cousin  and rent her home.  She went on numerous interviews and second interviews.  How many times can a person be the runner up?  Last Friday she got a new job.  A wonderful new job.  I am thankful for work.

Our oldest daughter and her family moved to East Tennessee in August.  For my daughter and son-in-law it was going "home" to where they grew up.  No longer having them close by has been difficult.  I realize now I took them being close for granted.  I should have spent more time with my daughter.  I should have spent more quality time with all of them.  I see my past being relived.  I see my parents making trips back and forth on I-40 to East Tennessee.  I see our young family making numerous trips to Nashville.  I know now how my mother felt then.  So, I will focus on making some memories when we are together.  I am thankful for family.

It has been a difficult year but it seems they get more difficult as the years go by.  Maybe the problems seems harder and the situations more difficult because of my age.  Maybe it is the reality that the good years are behind me instead of ahead of me.  When we sat down for our Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house, my father would have everyone say one thing for which they were thankful.  It is a nice tradition that we have continued even after his death and our mother's illness.  I think it was a way for him to be reminded of all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for even when life gets difficult.  God has blessed me in so many ways.  I really have no reason to complain.  I am thankful.