Today was just an ordinary day in my house. I woke up knowing it was Thanksgiving, but with Tier 3 in effect for Illinois, no one was coming for the usual meal. So, Thanksgiving wasn’t truly Thanksgiving!
Every year, my mom and I divide up the work. I typically like to take the big stuff since it’s time to let the elders sit down. Most years this works, but there are some years where my mom just wants to make sure everyone remembers what hers tastes like and prove to herself that she still got it! #AndSheDoes We set a time each year. #NoOneIsEVEROnTime My grandmother is usually ready to eat ahead of whatever time we set and she can be found roaming around, requesting ETAs from the chefs. #SheStaysHangry
We go through all of the motions: prep work (sometimes days or a week before), the actual cooking / baking, setting up the kids and adults tables, and then arranging the food in the best possible assembly line to avoid traffic congestion. Let me tell ya, traffic congestion is real with a bunch of hangry folks. Before our meal, we all hold hands and pray together. Then, we go around the room to say the one thing we are most grateful for. Someone always gets choked up here, which means I get choked up, which then means I typically have a one-word response because I don’t need to be snot-nosed crying ahead of dinner. #HappensEveryTime
We eat…we laugh…we share…we love! After the hubby is full and has gotten some couch time in, I typically mention the tree…yes, the Christmas tree. That is his queue to grab the Christmas tree and ornaments from the basement. If I am feeling really froggy, I will get the tree up Thanksgiving night. Typically, though, we will start first thing in the morning the day after.
Until 2020! This year, most of the usual traditions didn’t happen. My dad brought my mom over for a drive-by visit, I cooked catfish, spaghetti, and corn, and the girls spent some time playing Roblox. I did bake an apple pie for dessert, but even it did not taste the same. The hubby even brought the tree up, but there wasn’t any umpf to put it up. It will have to wait! I admit, I had a moment where I held back my tears, but I was reminded of all of the things I have to be grateful for…even in the midst of a pandemic.
This Thanksgiving, I am still so very thankful for my family, my mom coming out on the other side of her surgery, my ability to be home and available to my family when needed, and the abundance of friends turned family that are in my circle. I am in good health…and hey, He woke me up this morning, so what more can I ask for?!?! I choose to fill my head with these thoughts instead. #ShiftInPerspective #StillGrateful #StillThankful #AlwaysBlessed
So, Happy Thanksgiving!
