It has been a fun day of relaxation and preparation for tomorrow's feast. I've taken the whole weekend off and it feels awfully good. As I loaded the groceries into the old Explorer yesterday, I suddenly felt so grateful for all the bags of food, for the kids coming home from college, and for the time to enjoy it all. I cried the whole way home.
Last year was so different. We had plenty to be thankful for, but we were working hard just to make ends meet, and I didn't get to take that Wednesday off to get ready for company. It seemed like we were counting every stick of butter and praying we'd have enough money to host the family dinner. Tom spent the rest of the weekend working on a project so that we could invoice enough to think about getting a Christmas tree. Starting out the holiday season with so little just weighed heavily on me, and it took a lot of the joy out of the preparations.
This year, we have experienced abundant opportunities and a fruitful harvest. To be able to make a second trip to the grocery store for all the things I forgot the first time around was a pleasure. Two kinds of cheese balls? A whole bag of walnuts? Better get an extra pound of butter. And another dozen eggs, just in case. These things might sound silly to you, but to me...oh, it is exquisite to be able to put them into the cart. When you have done without, even the smallest "extras" are simply luxurious.
I look forward to a day of thankfulness for the many blessings we have received. But I also think about my brother and his family, who will have an empty chair at their table this year. They will miss my nephew, Joby, who was killed in a tragic accident in September. Their first Thanksgiving without their son. How silly worrying about sticks of butter last year seem in light of such a deep, deep loss this year. Our holidays will be tinged with sadness, as thoughts of him are never very far away, especially now.
The refrigerator is plumb full of pies, stuffing and sweet potato casserole. The turkey takes up a whole shelf. I am thankful for the plentiful bounty and for the happy voices of the kids playing Clue in the living room. In a life where there are no guarantees that any of us should be here, or that our pantries will be overflowing, I am filled with humble gratitude for what we have been given.
And so I wish you, my dear Company Girls, a Thanksgiving that is filled with joy no matter what your circumstances may be this year. With much or with little, with gain or with loss, please know that you are loved by a Heavenly Father, and treasured by a blog friend who lives in a yellow house in Texas.
Happy Thanksgiving!
