Happy Thanksgiving!
How did Thanksgiving sneak up on us so quickly? It feels early this year, even though I'm sure it's coming at the same time as last year. Life just seems to be so filled up these days.

Holidays used to seem very far away from each other when I was a kid. Now, I can barely keep up! Halloween turns to Thanksgiving to Christmas, all in the blink of an eye.

When I was young, Thanksgiving meant family members gathering around the table to eat turkey and mashed potatoes. Olives held center stage for me. On my fingers, of course! Ten would be slipped over my fingertips and then eaten one by one with great zest! :)  Later, the olives would be eaten with a fork or, when no one was looking, my fingers.

Other dishes graced our table and became family favorites: my niece's sweet potatoes, my mom's orange Jell-o salad thing (you know, the one that has cottage cheese in it -- makes me gag every time, but I try it every year in hope that this might be the year I fall in love with it).

The last few years have been very different. After my father's stroke in 2006 and my mother's balance issues, they now live in separate places (Dad in an adult family home and Mom in a long-term care facility). It's a challenge to get the family together. Especially after my sister died in 2009. Things haven't really felt "right" since then.

It's been my personal tradition for well over ten years now to spend Thanksgiving weekend writing Christmas cards. I start playing Christmas music the week of Thanksgiving to get in the mood. I ignore Black Friday in favor of sappy Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, a warm blanket, and a stack of Christmas cards, address lists, stamps and red and green felt tip markers.

Once the cards are done, they will sit on the counter until December 1st (no premature mailing, the postmark must say December 1!). I love getting the cards done early as I know my loved ones will just be starting to think about Christmas. What a great way to begin the Season of Love!

This Thanksgiving, I wish you a quiet moment to drink in the joy of all the reasons you have to be thankful. The simple things, such as breathing, as well as the more elaborate things, reconciliation with loved ones, forgiveness, humor and passion.

Blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving!
Merri