Thankful and So Much More....

It's hard to believe that we are almost to the end of November.  The days are shorter with darkness showing up at 5 pm and the nights have turned crisp and cool.   The leaves have all changed to vivid colors of orange, red and yellow that cast a beauty that seems surreal at times.  I am so fortunate to live in an area where you can truly appreciate the season and it is my favorite, for there is nothing quite like the turning of the leaves.   The last couple of months have been busy... and now,  it's hard to believe that another year is almost done.  

Anyone that knows me... knows that I love the holidays.  All of them.   Any occasion to be festive, creative and be with my crazy Clampett family. This week, we'll celebrate America's holiday.... Thanksgiving.  We've been celebrating it officially since 1863 when President Lincoln proclaimed that a national day of Thanksgiving be held the fourth Thursday of every November, although we know that many "thanksgivings" were held prior to that date.   We all refer to the very first Thanksgiving as the one held in 1621 by the pilgrims and their Native American allies where they were giving thanks to God for guiding them to the new world and providing a bountiful harvest.  They held a celebratory feast that lasted 3 days.

Nowadays... the entire month of November,  we are reminded to be thankful and we all set aside this one day a year to spend it with our family and friends to give thanks.   For me... Thanksgiving has always been a favorite from the planning of the menu, the shopping, the cooking, the Macy's parade,  the football, the eating and of course, the annual Rook card game that always took place.    Then of course, after the final meal on Thanksgiving night... the planning of the Black Friday excursion that has turned out in recent years to be comical, exhausting and something that has become a tradition.   Even though I may not need one single thing... just the thrill of it excites me watching all the people get up at 2 and 3 am standing in line, camping out...  ready to  run, grab and seize the bargains.   It's so amusing and yes, there I am right there in the middle of it.   I'm already waiting in anticipation of "the deal of 2011" and planning my pirate map of strategy.   (This way.. you hit all the stores during the peak times to get the best deals!)

The holidays are a little more difficult for me since the passing of my parents and this will be the 2nd year without both of them...... it's like I have nowhere to go "home" to... and sometimes that thought overwhelms me.   It's also in those moments that the true meaning of Thanksgiving shines down upon me.  I am grateful and extremely thankful that for 45 years,  I was able to spend it with them and I know my greatest blessings and riches are my memories of them and time spent with them.

I have many other things in my life that I am thankful and grateful for and I am sure that my list is similar to yours.  I've been very fortunate to have been blessed with healthy and happy children who have grown into wonderful adults.  I am thankful for a blue eyed, blonde headed 3 year old who tears my heart up in all the right ways.   I'm grateful for my Clampett family who always make me laugh and whenever we are together, there's always something fun in the making.   I am thankful for the  many friends I have,  from all walks of life,  and I'm often reminded that whenever I'm feeling alone or needing a laugh, there's always somebody to share a conversation, or text.  (These days... it's all about the texting!!!!)   I am grateful to love what I do work wise and have a passion for creating events that are truly a labor of love.   I really try to be thankful all through-out the year, but its nice to know that we all have this one day where we can set aside everything else and enjoy it with those we love and celebrate.

 I'm also reminded that during this time of year, there are those who are not as fortunate and those who need  a hot meal or warm clothes.   We should all be of heart to "give back" in our communities.   There are many worthwhile organizations who ensure that your time, donations, or help goes to benefit those who truly need it.   It also does something amazing for your heart knowing that you helped someone less fortunate.

So... as this week begins,  I'll pull out my mother's recipes which are one of my most treasured and prized possessions.   I'm sure I will never live up to her superb cooking skills for the holidays, but, I'll cook  with the same love that she did for so many years.  I'll plan and prepare... and try to perfect the recipes just as she did... although, most of you know that your mothers never use recipes.  They just put in a pinch of this, a pinch of that... stir... and as I have often told my mother... all she ever had to do was stick her finger in it and it was delicious.   (Oh... could I only be that lucky one day!)

This Thanksgiving, I'll enjoy time with my family and eventually,  as my adult children leave to go to their other stops that day... I'll take a few moments to reflect on how much my life has changed over the years and through it all... I am so thankful that the blessings are still overflowing.   Life is a journey and we all go through trials, tribulations and triumphs.    Its up to us to make it the best journey it can be filled with love, laughter and life.  

May you all have safe travels, a blessed holiday and most of all a reflection and insight that we all have something to be thankful for in our lives.  

Happy Thanksgiving!


(By the way... don't forget to take the giblets out of the turkey before cooking!)  (And yes... my very first one years ago... ... I didn't take them out!)  YIKES!!!!