Changing Traditions

“If we fill our hours with regrets over the failures of yesterday, and with worries over the problems of tomorrow, we have no today in which to be thankful”

-unknown

This year, Thanksgiving will be a little different than it has been for our family in the past.   My father has to work on Thanksgiving, and my grandparents on  his side who usually have Thanksgiving with us, are getting older and it has become increasingly difficult for them to travel.   So, as it turns out, it is going to be just me, my mom and youngest daughter on Thanksgiving day. 

My oldest daughter is away at college and I wasn't able to fly her home this year for Thanksgiving.  She will be home soon for her Winter Break, so we decided to postpone Thanksgiving until then.  My mother is an amazing cook, and her Thanksgiving dinner is anticipated for weeks ahead.  Changing a long standing tradition this year has been a little depressing.  Not having our little family together on this special day is not something we would have ever chosen.  My youngest daughter is having a hard time with the idea.  I've explained that we must be positive and it won't always be like this.  Some years are just harder than others. 

My mom is going to treat us to see Harry Potter on Thanksgiving, so the three of us will spend the day seeing a movie together.  The night before Thanksgiving, we will have a nice family dinner together with my parents, but the traditional Thanksgiving menu will be saved for when my oldest can be home to share it with us.  She will be with my sister and her girls on Thanksgiving day, so even though we won't all be together, we will all have family to share the day with.

I received a package in the mail yesterday that put it all in perspective.  A friend I have "met" on flickr and through the blogging world sent me a beautiful little sign.  I have a  love of words, and these reminded me to always focus on the positive-

She wrote in a card to me that when she saw this, it reminded her of me, because I always try to be positive.  Her words alone meant so much to me, and her gift was so very kind.  Thank you so much Val!  Someday maybe we will actually get to meet in person.  Val is getting married next year, so please join me in wishing her and her future husband a lifetime together filled with love and happiness.



Wishing you a very Happy and "Thankful" Thanksgiving and Happy Thoughts,

Lisa

Give Thanks  is hung in our kitchen to remind us to always be thankful.