Thanksgiving- Food, Family, and Festivities

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. It’s a day to get out the hot dogs, hamburgers, and crockpot chili. Next comes Halloween because there is nothing as cute as seeing little ghosts knocking on your door and being scared by my two large dogs. Christmas and New Years Eve are special because I get to catch up with what everyone in the family has been doing all year.

Holidays are like a cake. And Thanksgiving Day is the icing on the cake. It’s the day that says, “eat and eat more.” It’s the day that says turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy all belong together in huge helpings on the plate. It’s a day to eat two slices of pumpkin pie, with large scoops of ice cream. It’s a day to sit with hot cocoa and smile.

Thanksgiving is also the kickstart day for the winter holidays. It’s the day our family draws names for Christmas gifts. It’s the day to plan when family will gather next.

This year, though, the closest family is hundreds of miles away. One of my dogs is too sick to travel, therefore I’m home.

We are all spread out this holiday. It happens. My daughters are in Utah and Missouri. My parents are in northern Arizona. A sister is in Washington, another in Arizona, and a brother in Scottsdale. It’ll be different without them.

And with different comes opportunities. This year I get to host Christmas and New Years. Family will come to Southern California; some for a few days and some for a few weeks. Therefore I get to start planning.

I’m thankful for the opportunity.

What are you thankful for this day?