Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Happy Thanksgiving all!
I truly do love this day...even with the chaos of the
cooking. Our Thanksgiving tradition will
change just a bit with Granny gone this year. We
will still go to my Grandma Calderon's. Everyone
gathers there throughout the day. All in all,
about 65 or so of us :) There are two turkeys,
a ham, tons of sides and desserts. As our family
grows it is getter more crowded, but personally
I love it. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving if it
wasn't that way.
Around 4 or 5 we would travel onto Granny and Pops
house where she would have a Thanksgiving meal
prepared as well. Normally Uncle Keith and Aunt
Gerri, Niecy, Aunt Gean, and sometimes Paula and
DeeDee, Uncle Jerome and Auntie Brenda would be
there. This year, with Granny gone, Niecy, Uncle
Jerome and Aunt Brenda took Pops down to Florida
to spend Thanksgiving with Philip, Lanetta and her
fiance Ansley. I totally understand the thought
process that it might make Thanksgiving easier for
Pops to be out of the house and doing something
different. It is hard though, because even if we
didn't spend the bulk of the day there, it was
always important to go and eat,visit, get one of
Granny's hugs...I know Marlon is going to have a
hard time today. We all are in some way I am sure.
I don't think a loved one can pass on without there
always being an empty space on holidays or special
occasions.
But today we are going to be Thankful, as we should
be everyday. Really. There is way too much in life
to be thankful about. Health, family, clothing, food,
another day to get it right, employment, a car,a friend,
education, freedom of religion, freedom of speech,
Christ's love and faithfulness, salvation, children's
laughter, a hug from someone you love, Grandma's and
Grandpa's, a home, music...the list could never end.
Too often we concentrate on what we don't have...not
the house or car we want, not making the money at a
job we want, not looking the way we want, losing a
loved one too soon for us, divorce, lack of support
in our lives. While there are some devastating things
that can happen and difficult things to face...have
faith that God knows your days and path and his desire
is to bring you salvation and peace. We just have to
accept it!