I Forgot About the Thanks in Thanksgiving
Truth be told, I had a really hard time knowing what to do with Thanksgiving this year. We have no family nearby, and this is the first year since we moved a thousand miles away that we don't have plans.We have always had company, or gone to visit family, or gotten together with friends. I was doing a really good job of feeling sorry for myself that it was going to be "just us." Complete with 4 kids who don't really even like Thanksgiving food.
I couldn't get my mind around cooking the traditional meal for just the six of us. I tried inviting a few friends over, but everyone had plans. I decided to just go through the motions. I'd cook the basics. One night at dinner I asked the kids what they wanted me to make for our feast. "Pumpkin pie!" said one. "With whipped cream!" added his brother. I asked what else, and my oldest answered "Stuffing, but I'm not eating it." I asked him why he was asking me to make it if he didn't want to eat it, and he replied "because it's your favorite mom."
Oddly enough, right that moment I felt gratitude. Thankful that my son was concerned with what I wanted. My ho hum attitude about the upcoming holiday dissolved and I acquired perspective. I planned a menu and went shopping. Today is the day before the big holiday, the turkey is sitting in it's brine and I am happily preparing the stuffing. Later, I will work on pies. Tomorrow I will mash potatoes and roast the turkey. I will focus on how very thankful I am to have my family. I will tell them how much they mean to me. I will no longer sit and complain that it is "just us."
It seems I had forgotten to be thankful for what I have, choosing to dwell on what I lacked. I'm beyond relieved I remembered before it was too late to appreciate what Thanksgiving is all about.
Original post to Deep South Moms.
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