Thanksgiving traditions
We generally have a family gathering at Thanksgiving. If my Mom is hosting, she would ask us to say one thing we are thankful for before digging into our feast. Sometimes it was to identify something we are thankful for about the person to our left or right. Does this tradition sound familiar? I admit some years I was not always a fan as my hot plate of food cooled in front of me.
Like a lot of things, you don’t realize you miss it until it’s gone.
Last year a dozen people crowded around my dining room table, while this year a couple gourds sit in the centre of the empty table. Even though there was no official Thanksgiving meal, thankfully I ended up having impromptu one-on-one visits with family members here and there – a quick drive-by, a backyard coffee, a hike up the creek. This has been a nice alternative and has its advantages – it certainly is simpler and there are no awkward hugs!
This Thanksgiving may be different, but even without my motherly prompt I feel more thankful than ever. Thankful for so many things: my health, the support of my family, my friends near and far, our warm house, all the meals we eat everyday…the list goes on and on.
Thank you for being my Thanksgiving table this year. I won’t put you on the spot, but if you wish to share something you are thankful for, I would love to hear from you.
Thank you Mom for instilling in me pause to be grateful.
6 Comments
Diane
Hello Andrea, Happy Thanksgiving. We have the same tradition as well and it has been wonderful to listen to everyone each year. And the passing of this tradition down to our grandchildren making it all the more special. I am thankful for a life full of love, children, grandchildren and friends. Making every day, in my world, Thanksgiving.
Andrea_bruce
Happy Thanksgiving Diane. So nicely said.
Linda Ploen
I am thankful for your blog, Andrea. When I read it, I am reminded of so many things that are sometimes taken for granted – good health, a cosy home, family, living in this marvellous country called Canada. And taking time to enjoy the moment and view our autumn leaves before they make their descent to the ground, with winter around the corner. Happy Thanksgiving!
Andrea_bruce
Aww thanks Linda. I am happy you enjoy the blog, and that it makes you think of all these many things to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!
Erin
Nicely written, Andrea. I am missing the traditional gathering this year also, along with sharing what we are thankful for. It is sometimes a little awkward but as we go around the table there is a sense of affirmation of what matters most in life, and the values that we share. I am thankful that we have enough: food, clean water, spaces to enjoy nature and be sheltered from it, time with our children, love in our family….. so much more but I’ll end there. Happy Thanksgiving!
Andrea_bruce
Thanks Erin. That is so true – it may be awkward at first and then there is a “sense of affirmation of what matters most in life, and the values that we share”. I like how you expressed it. Happy Thanksgiving!