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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

We don't do turkey at our house... Or stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, or even cranberries. Sometimes we have pumpkin pie... but it is always store bought. We don't spend the days before cooking and cleaning the house getting ready for company... we don't even hit the grocery store and navigate the crowds in search for the last few items we forgot the first time.

It's not that I have anything against Thanksgiving... I actually like it quite well. But the thing is, our family is small... just me and mom and dad. I remember Thanksgivings growing up with all of the above, and more... but now, we do things a little differently.

This Thanksgiving I will spend with my parents at home. Maybe we'll BBQ some steaks... or maybe we'll head out and try to find some restaurant that happens to be open. Maybe we'll watch some football, or maybe the parade. We might even go see a movie. We will DEFINITELY check out the newspaper ads for black Friday and make a plan of attack. But whatever we do, we'll do it together. And I am thankful for that!

When I was young, my mom was very sick. I don't remember details... I couldn't even tell you exactly what it was she had... but it made her tired all the time. I didn't see much of her during those years, and that combined with her distaste for cooking, has resulted in a life of fast food and hot dogs. But I've always been okay with that. Thankful even. I am thankful that my family is together. I am thankful that I have a wonderful mom and dad who love each other and love me. I am thankful that this Thanksgiving, as in Thanksgivings past, we can be together.

We don't have any big Thanksgiving traditions... except for one. Every year we buy a newspaper and we all sit down together after dinner (be it turkey, or simply sandwiches) and we scour the Black Friday ads. We make lists of good deals that we might like to find... presents for each other, presents for ourselves, presents for our family and friends, and presents that we just HAVE to have. Then we make a plan of attack. Seriously. We schedule which stores we are going to hit and in what order to make the most of our time and get the best sales. Then mom and I go to bed late (because we never can quite get into bed at a reasonable time) and wake up only a couple of hours later to stand in line at some crazy store at 3am. It's what we do. Our one tradition. And I am thankful for it.

I am thankful for a mom and dad that enjoy spending time with me. I am thankful that they are my friends. I am thankful that this year, we are all healthy and well. I am thankful that we can have just as much fun with no cooking (and icky raw bird). I am thankful that we have money (even if it isn't much) to buy Christmas presents with. I am thankful that we live in a place where we only have to drive 5 minutes to get to all the sales.

I am thankful for the little things... the little things that I so often take for granted. And I am thankful that today, I am remembering NOT to take them for granted.

So whether you eat a big meal complete with Turkey and all the fixings, or you stick to take out... make sure that this Thanksgiving, you give thanks for the little blessings, and don't let those moments pass you by!

5 comments:

Kelly said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

Carroll said...

Nice Diandra. I'm thankful for all the things you mentioned plus lots more. I'm old you know so it takes many thanks.
Wish you were closer. I have a turkey in the oven and wouldn't that be oh so much fun? It's kind of sad to be alone but it happens more often than I'd like to remember. I do remember many family Thanksgivings and I'm so thankful we took advantage of them at the time.
Have a great day and don't get too tired tomorrow on Black Friday.
Love you!
Grammie

Heston said...

Well, have a happy day how ever you celebrate it!

Jewelielyn said...

ok, first of all, i would like to say we have NEVER just had sandwiches for thanksgiving dinner--those were the leftovers! and i used to bake pumpkin pies before costco started making such good ones. but most of all, i wanted to say how much i love you, my precious girl! and i am glad that the unconventional choices i have made have not totally messed you up! you are awesome and getting awesomer every day!!!

Jordan said...

GREAT post!