A New Thanksgiving Day..........

Thanksgiving is a time when we reflect and think of everything with which we have been blessed.
But, it's not a celebratory time for everybody. For some of us, it will never be the same.
There will be an empty seat because death came for them too soon.
An empty seat because one found another table at which to celebrate.
A clean plate set but not used that represents the child that has decided family is no longer a priority.
A silent phone because family doesn't speak-- thinking they'll have another year to fix it.
A place not set for family too geographically distant to attend.
Suddenly, this year...we notice that things will never be the same.
I think back to the Thanksgiving days of my early childhood. I would enter through the back door of my grandmother's house while the wonderful aroma saturated the kitchen. The house was full. The tables were set. We could not begin until every one arrived. Uncle Kenny always the last one in. They'd bluster in with grand laughter, wild hugs and stories of  "how come".
The smell of mince pie and sweet potatoes tempted me to enter and get a taste of what awaited. But, we waited...knowing it would be worth it. Being the youngest grandchild for almost 11 years, I got to fix my plate first and sit at the kitchen table located closest to the food covered in colorful fiestaware. I always got to choose my own colors and they didn't have to match!  That was in stark contrast to the grown up's table covered in fine English linen, translucent china, crystal and shining silver.  This was Thanksgiving.
Year after year, the landscape of family changed. New faces were added. We mourned the loss of empty chairs and celebrated the additions of high chairs and card tables for extra seating and younger grandchildren. Every year different.
Then, I remember the first year that my grandparents were not there. My heart ached that day when we gathered around the table to give thanks. No longer around her table, no longer with the big family, different.  I knew it would never be the same.
But, the older I get, the more I realize, that even in the "never be the same" days, there are treasures to be mined out and enjoyed in the midst of different.
True. The faces have changed. But, let's not miss the faces that are gathered now.
True. Life has changed. But, let's not look forward to the end of the day and miss the living of this day. The dishes will wait.
True. It will never be the same. However, truth of the matter is, it never has been. We have to create new delights as we retell the old stories.
So, let's squeeze all of the life we can out of  Thanksgiving  day  knowing that God has created even this day and still has plenty for us to enjoy.

Blessings this day and every day.