Month of Thanks Giving: Day 26 (Life Goes On)

On this first Thanksgiving without my mom, thoughts and memories of her will fill all of our hearts and minds. Yesterday, I pulled out several of her favorite recipes, and as I measured flour and sugar, as I chopped pecans and shaved chocolate, I remembered all the times she slightly corrected my methods and I would turn away so she wouldn’t see me roll my eyes.

Thanksgiving 2014–my mom’s last Thanksgiving.

I used to beg my mom to let us use everyday dishes to set the table because it would be easier, more relaxing when it came time to clean up. But this Thanksgiving, thanks to the suggestion by my sister, Cyndie, we’ll be setting the table in all its glory with my mom’s fine China and crystal–and I won’t complain.

Though I miss my mom, I’m also counting my blessings. I’m grateful to have my father with us for the holidays. And there was no greater joy than to have my kids, Steve, my dad and his wife, Christiane, in the kitchen with me as I chopped pecans the way my mother taught me to do.

And this last week has been filled with news of blessings to come. First, Andrea and James announced their engagement. We’re thrilled that James will be joining our family!

And, we’ll soon have another new addition to our family, too! Adam and Emily are having another baby–a daughter! My second grandchild, and Tommy’s little sister. 🙂

So, though this has been a year of losses, it’s also been a year of blessings. One of my favorite books, The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo, says:

Sometimes just giving thanks for the mystery of it all brings everything and everyone closer, the way suction pulls streams of water together. So take a chance and openly give thanks, even if you’re not sure what for, and feel the plentitude of all that is living brush up against your heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!