Happy Thanksgiving.
Those words have always rolled off my tongue. But this year I’ve been thinking a lot about what happiness REALLY means in my life since Covid19 has completely uprooted absolutely everything. Instead of feeling happy, let me change that word to GRATEFUL.
I am grateful that I have so many wonderful memories of Thanksgivings from my childhood.
Mom LOVED that holiday…and so do I. It’s my favorite one since it doesn’t focus on material gifts for happiness and satisfaction. It’s all about family. And the food memories that bring us all together around the table. (It’s that old green bean casserole that unites us all!)
She always set the most beautiful Thanksgiving table, and her menu was filled with ALL the special and traditional dishes our family loved.
Today I am grateful that even though we can’t celebrate Thanksgiving together in 2020, our family has been spared so far from the death and despair that has already devastated more than 250,000 American families. Our family is and always will be the center of my universe…even if we’re miles apart.
This year I am grateful to have a warm, cozy home and for our wonderful neighbors who all choose to look out for one another in so many ways. Isolation is much easier when I think of it as being SAFE at home…not stuck at home.
I am grateful for all of my friends. The ones who are willing to take my calls and answer my texts and emails. Especially when I am overwhelmed with worry or fear of what’s happening around us.
I am so very grateful for ALL of the essential workers. ALL of them. Doctors. Nurses. Grocery store staff. Factory workers. Janitors. EVERYONE who is risking their health so we can stay HOME. And by staying home I hope we are risking their health just a little less! These people are HEROS. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. And I pray for their safety every day.
I hope and pray you are doing everything you can to keep those around you safe and healthy. So that NEXT Thanksgiving we can be HAPPY again to celebrate around our tables with those we love and cherish. And I pray there will be no empty chairs because of the choices we all make during this 2020 holiday season.
Let me end with this wonderful memory of “A PERFECT Thanksgiving”…compliments of our granddaughter Emma.
XOXO
Meemaw
I’m grateful for a friend like you, Meemaw! You may not know this, but you lifted my spirits on several occasions since March! I’m thankful for your humor, your integrity, your compassion and of course, your delicious and inspiring recipes! Love ya!!
Oh Meg…your comment warmed my heart! Friends are a true gift…and I’ve been blessed with your friendship for most of my life! Stay well, hunker down, and let’s get through this. TOGETHER.
XOXO
Meemaw
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your husband! Thank you for praying for frontline workers. My youngest daughter is an ER RN, and sees some very sick folks come into her ER. Her husband is a paramedic for our county, and he is at risk as well. Praying for a vaccine and herd immunity!
Bless you and yours Anne! Hoping for better days ahead! Stay safe and well…
XOXO
Meemaw
We, too, are staying safe at home and we would only have to step across the driveway or drive two miles to be with family. A virtual grateful Thanksgiving is planned. (On a side note, I am listening to an owl calling right outside my window.) Have a good Thanksgiving and a healthy forever.
Thank you Laura! I hope your Thanksgiving was as good as it could be…considering our current situation. Wishing you good health in the months ahead!
XOXO
Meemaw