thoughts of thanksgiving...

Every year when this time of year rolls around, I find myself thinking ahead…thinking mostly of the wonderful holidays that are about to come, and thinking of yet another year imminently closer. I typically find myself thinking so far ahead that I fail to relish or dwell 'in the moment' for just a bit longer.  This year, unfortunately, was no exception.  I don't intend to do this, but it happens before I know it. 

   In our home growing up, Thanksgiving was always a time to spend time with not just family, but friends too.   My parents were always inviting others over for Thanksgiving dinner, and many of the fond memories I have about Thanksgiving are a direct result of having these extra friends around our table. My parents would invite anyone they knew without a family to spend Thanksgiving with over for the day.  Single moms, bachelors, college kids, elderly…it didn't matter, they were all welcome! 

In fact, as I sit here writing this tonight, there is a dear friend playing games with mom, who I remember at our Thanksgiving table since I was a wee child.  In the other room I hear another familiar voice present at every Thanksgiving table. This year however, there were a few voices absent.  About the time I realized these voices were missing, was about the same time that it dawned on me that this year my father did not insist on the annual "What are you thankful for circle."

You know what I'm talking about, where you go around the circle, person to person and say something that you are thankful for.  I must admit, I hated this circle as I was growing up! It always just seemed a bit cheesy and overused.  "I'm thankful for my family, my friends and my health" could potentially be the most overused sentence.  Ever.  Okay, maybe not, but in my world it seems to be said quite often. Obviously these are not bad things to be thankful for,  and yes, I am thankful for each of those things too, but it just seems so carelessly spoken and casually tossed around that I get a bit irked by the pat answers sometimes. 

Tonight as I was watching the kiddos play with the cousins, harass my parents, and both delight and annoy the extra friends at our table, I realized I missed the 'Thanksgiving Circle Time.'  Believe me, I did not miss the cheesiness and repetitive answers; but I did miss the coming together of multiple generations and families,  I missed the tradition of it all, and I missed hearing about the things and people that do mean a lot to others. 

Over the years the hubs and I have had what seems like a multitude of people stay in our home...over 22 foster children, family members, and several friends just needing a temporary home. Many times people have questioned 'the extras' living in our home and sitting at our table, and not once have I ever wondered WHY we do it. (although sometimes we've questioned the WHO!)  There has just simply never been an option to NOT share our home with others.  And today, on Thanksgiving Day, it has occurred to me that the reason I am this way, is all because my parents chose to spend time and energy instilling in me a compassion for others.  And that, is just ONE of the many things I am thankful for today!