Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We are, obviously, especially thankful this year to have Jeremy here -- the kids for their beloved daddy and me for my very best friend.

As I was preparing dinner today, it really got me to thinking about all the history and memories that are embedded into this tradition and how they reflect the life of our family. I've often wondered how we ended up here (in North Carolina in the military, not something we ever planned for when we married). Today, though, I'm very thankful for all the places we've been and the people we've met.

The stuffing made me smile as I thought of my friend Kathryn, a friend and co-worker at Battelle, who gave me the recipe, which made me think of all my other dear Columbus friends....Rona and Jess (who introduced me to scrapbooking), Jim (a truly nice guy, though he always acted the grump), Casey (who inspired me to try the herb crusted turkey), Ann Louise (who was always great to chat with), Rachel (who inspired me to dress better), Rena (who taught me to knit) and so many others that I can't condense them into this post. And thinking of my Battelle friends made me think of my Noron friends from Toledo...Norb (who so very much reminded me of my Grandpa R.), Kevin, Mark & Mike (all three who were just plain fun to work with), Becky (who I still miss chatting with), Jim (who always said what he was thinking), Trevor (whose wife gave me the best darn cookie recipe ever), Rick (who was just the sweetest guy with a great laugh) and many many more. I'm so very glad my life took me in a path that ran alongside, however briefly, with the paths of these people.


The rolls were made from a recipe my Great Aunt Marilyn gave me. Making the rolls made me think of all the family gathering over the years, but especially of my Grandma M. And we sat down to eat at the table that resided in my Grandma M.'s house for as long as I can remember. And thinking of Grandma always makes me wish I could have met my Grandpa. And it makes me miss my Aunt Deb & Uncle Thomas and my cousins, Aaron & Casey. I miss the noisiness of our family gatherings. And I'm thankful for all the times we've had together and the times we will have in the future. I'm thankful for the humor and fun that has always infused our gatherings.


The cranberry fluff was made from a recipe my mother in law gave me. I'm so very very thankful of what Jeremy has brought to my life, and into the life of our family, with his family. I missed having all of them with us today. I missed our post-dinner game of Trivial Pursuit, but am very grateful for the ones we've had. I'm thankful for the times that Judson & Johnna have brought me to tears with laughter (Chinese anyone? How about some key-lime disease, er, pie, i mean?). I'm thankful for in-laws that I love. I'm thankful for the help they've given, which has in turn let me get to know them better.

I set my table with silverware that belonged to my Great Grandma N, who was my Grandma R.'s mother. I thought of my Grandma & Grandpa R. and the times we gathered at their home. I thought of my aunts and uncles and cousins. I thought of Christmas parties at Aunt Jane & Uncle Ralph's house. I thought of card games and laughter. And I am so very thankful for all these things...for happy memories and people to love.

It is funny, how these little details of the day, which seem insignificant in many ways, have so much substance to them. No the stuffing and silverware aren't REALLY important as a physical object. But the memories and history they bring with them are important (at least for me -- a physical reminder to recall things that sometimes get shoved to the back of the brain in the business of everyday life).

And so, most important of all, I'm thankful for where I am now. I'm thankful to be who I am (faults and all) and to have the people in my life that I do. I'm thankful for the ability to be content with what I have, while still being able to look forward to what will come with the next bend in the road.