Being thankful

Celebrating Thanksgiving with my family has always been an enjoyable time, and even though I don't get to enjoy it with my mother and siblings much anymore, that doesn't mean that I am not grateful and thankful for them. It's hard because of the distance and the fact that we are all so busy. It seems that when we grew up and had our own kids, our lives went in different directions.

This year our house was filled, and not only because we recently moved to a smaller home, but because the family is growing and we were fortunate enough to have almost all of our children there. Jill and Jorran and their family chose to go to Wisconsin and celebrate this year with Jorran's family and that 's alright, even though we missed them tremendously! Another generation grows and goes its own way.

This year we did something different, while relaxing after a huge yummy meal, we sat down and went around the room sharing what we were thankful for. Well of course there are the comedians in our family that are thankful for silly things, even though I knew that they were teasing and just trying my patience a bit... I think I know that they were teasing anyway.

It was three year old Hayden that was the first serious one, "I'm thankful for Kenna." she says in her tiny little voice. How many three years olds would say that about their siblings? Perhaps in a few years that too may change, but this year it meant a lot.

Abby, now she is the clown of the grandkids and may I say a bit of a princess. Her response was, "I'm thanks for high heels and beer," she says laughing uncontrollably. Now if you know anything about Abby you would expect that answer coming from her. She has the spunk that can have you so frustrated one minute and the next melts your heart.

Me on the other hand, I was one of the serious ones. "I am thankful for my husband and my wonderful kids and grandkids!" My kids began mock claiming that tears were welling and that they were so emotional... poking fun at their mother! I can take it, because that is what makes my family so enjoyable. We enjoy our time together, and believe it or not, we all get along. I come from a close family - there may be distance, but if something is wrong with one, all will be there to help. I have brought my children up the same way. We are so close that it is sometimes scary. If one hurts, all hurt. If one has a reason to be proud, we all are proud. We're family.

Thanksgiving has passed, but don't stop being grateful and thankful for what is important in your lives. We are all blessed in one way or another, and if your relations remain close, you're doubly blessed.