I am so excited about Thanksgiving this year! In years past, we had a full house for Thanksgiving but as our children and our nephews grew up and had their own families our Thanksgivings were smaller. But this year, we will again be having a big Thanksgiving. We are expecting 16 family members and friends, but it could be more, or it could be less. We never know for sure. And that is quite all right with us. Our house has always been open to everyone who would like to join us.
One of my favorite Thanksgivings was a few years ago at my sister and brother in law’s house in Lincoln, NM. She lives about 3 hours away and so we drove up Thanksgiving morning. Her oldest son, Brandon, had flown in the night before to surprise us all. He had told no one except the friend who picked him up at the airport that he was coming. My mother, who Brandon is very close to, was riding in the car with me. And boy… was it hard to not say anything on the 3-hour drive to my sister’s house. My husband, daughter and nephew were in another vehicle about 15 minutes behind us.
My mother and I arrived at the house and unloaded the food we brought to the celebration. I could hardly contain my excitement as I waited for the other vehicle to arrive. All the family were on the front lawn when my husband and daughter drove up the driveway (Brandon was lying down in the back seat), parked and joined everyone on the front lawn. As we all stood around visiting, Brandon suddenly burst from the house, surprising everyone. There were lots of hugs, tears and laughter. It was such a fun surprise. The day was beautiful. The temperature was 56 degrees, but the sun was warm, and the sky was bright blue. The long Thanksgiving table was set in the front lawn. The day was like a picture our of Country Living magazine. We ate and laughed and visited on the porch under a propane heater until the night became too cold. It will always be one of my most favorite Thanksgivings. Those same family members will be here this year and although it will not be the same, I know we will have just as much fun. What is your favorite Thanksgiving?
This year the Thanksgiving tables are set inside the house. It will be a casual lunch but the china and crystal will be used. I have these things and I hate to see them just sitting in the china cabinet, so why not use my best china and crystal for my family since they are my VIP’s.
Psalm 92:1 says “It is good to give thanks to the Lord.” I am so thankful for my family and the time we will spend together, for a roof over our heads, for the abundance we as American’s enjoy, for my family’s health and the upcoming birth of our great niece. We have been blessed with so much.
I wish all of you a fun and joyful Thanksgiving!
I love being a part of all of these wonderful Thanksgivings we have had throughout the years .
I have two types of Thanksgivings that stand out for me. The first one is from my teen + years. Ben and Gene Collins would be over with their 3 kids and Gene’s great pecan pie. Since Ben and Dad had played football together and loved the game, they set up three TVs, each on a different station. (This was long before cable TV or the TVs with screens within the screen existed. ) Mom’s biggest challenge was to have the dinner ready at a halftime. 😀
The other type of dinner is one that is now celebrated by the Shaw-White-Wyatt families complete with in-laws and out-laws. We started this in 1994. We all do our very best to get together ever other year. Besides the fellowship, I love that each adult makes their favorite or traditional dish for the dinner. It’s always a lively time and I hate for the weekend to be over.
My first Thanksgiving with the Martin family included the Collins and the 3 TVs. Great memory!