My typical Thanksgiving is probably not much different than yours …
First there’s making the list of every ingredient for every dish I will make, which really never changes from one year to the next so I don’t know why I don’t just save the stupid list. This is followed by running from store to store purchasing the items from said list.
Cooking begins a couple of days in advance, making cornbread for the stuffing (because I’m from the south, and that’s how we do it), making a pie or two as well as a pumpkin cheesecake (because I don’t like pumpkin pie), and stressing over whether I’ve moved the turkey to the fridge early enough for it to thaw (but not too early).
Then there’s freshly ironing the napkins and pulling out extra dishes. Working out the seating for somewhere between 12 and 20 people (because I like to invite several of my French friends to our American tradition). And getting up at around 4:00 in the morning so it all “magically” comes together.
Okay, maybe mine’s a little more overly fastidious than yours.
This year, however, things are quite a bit different at our house …
It will be just four of us; hubby and me, my daughter and son-in-law. We’ll be dining sans turkey because my daughter has become a full-fledged, card carrying vegan (well, I don’t think they actually get a card) and the remaining three of us are really pretty flexible. And besides, she’s ordered some sort of soy thing in the shape of a turkey, which will be an adventure. I won’t be making a cheesecake because again, the vegan thing, and how much dessert do four people really need? And we’ll probably have dinner in the middle of the afternoon because, why not?
But some things won’t change. We’ll still use the good dishes, the good linens. And we’ll still give thanks.
One of our immutable traditions for Thanksgiving, besides the food, is going around the table and saying what we’re thankful for. It’s my favorite part of Thanksgiving. It makes the full gamut, from being thankful for family and friends to the year I proclaimed I was thankful for Botox (and still am). But the statement most indelibly etched in my memory is the year my daughter took my hand and quietly said “I’m thankful for you.” I felt, and feel, incredibly blessed.
And I will again.
Because on the surface, 2020 didn’t give us a lot to appreciate. But truly, if you’re reading these words right now, there’s so much to be thankful for.
I hope you can give thanks that you and those you love have their health, that you still have a job, that you have plenty to eat, and that you never ran out of toilet paper. And if you do –
Tell someone what you love or appreciate about them.
Thank someone who you never properly acknowledged for their help or support.
Share your good fortune with others less fortunate; the poor, the homeless, the children. There are so many ways to do this.
And this year, there are so many reasons to do it.
Wishing you a safe and joyous Thanksgiving holiday.
I love what you shared and I am thankful for your saucey whimsical writing. I am thankful for the love and kindness of family and friends. Especially this crazy last year as my husband battled cancer and I am most thankful that he survived.
I am also incredibly thankful for the support and love from my church.
Amen. I am thankful for you.
Beautiful Kelley!! A very HappyThanksgiving to you and yours!!
Xoxo Vicki
Thank you for your words of wisdom! I am thankful to know you and all your kindness! I am thankful that there is a future out there for us all to create and be a part of!
XX&OO!
It was fun reading about your traditions and the vegan thing. (I’m vegan, too) Have a beautiful holiday with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving. XO Virginia
I am so thankful for you and the way you write your blog. It’s always so consistently to the point with so much lovely information. You are a queen of words. Have a wonderful and blessed day. We all look forward to better times with less pain. Love Josie
Thank you Kelley! I’m thankful to have you as one of my dearest friends! xoxo Corinne
Merci pour votre amitié – et votre patience!
Thank you for the lovely words, Kelley! I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving!
Thank you Patti! You and Sophie too! XOXO
Beautiful and wise as always! I am definitely thankful for friends like you and my family and just being here!! Thank you for your wise words!!!!
Lovely, Kelley. Sounds like it was a beautiful day. Ours was too. Just too quiet….
It was interesting. Since I wasn’t running around hectically, I did have more time to reflect on and express gratitude. While I missed our family dinner, I’m grateful to have focused on gratitude!