Friday, November 23, 2007

Thanksgiving Blessings

We had the most delightful Thanksgiving day yesterday! When I woke up, the coffee was already made. I slowly poured myself a cup, savoring every moment of this special day. My husband and daughter were playing Lego Star Wars, so I got out my beads and strung a new necklace. I checked on my blogger friends then we went for a walk.

It was a fabulous morning - the sun was shining, it was 69 degrees with a soft breeze. Fall leaves were floating down from the sky and spinning lazily in the street. We finally have bright beautiful leaves - golden yellows and rich reds. It was so wonderful and I got some great photos - I'll be loading them onto Sunniviews this week, the series will be called Fall Finale.

After getting ready, we drove over to my aunts house in Chapel Hill for our family get-together. It was wonderful to see everyone! The table was beautifully set for our Thanksgiving feast and the food was scrumptious. We had an expert turkey maker and an expert turkey carver along with all the yummy accompanying dishes: buttery mashed potatoes and rich gravy, stuffing, green bean and lima casserole, sweet potatoes, corn, a special family recipe of mac and cheese, homemade cranberry sauce and fresh rolls. Oh my, it was so good. Oh, it was so, so good. We were stuffed.

Afterwards we played cards (UNO and Euchre), told jokes and stories, laughter filled the air. We settled our bellies with strong, rich coffee and nibbled on dessert: pumpkin pie and apple crisp with french vanilla ice cream.

Then it was time to
say goodbye and make quick plans for Christmas. As we drove home, my daughter sleeping soundly in my lap, the radio playing soft and sentimental music, my husband and mother-in-law talking quietly in the front - I watched the drying fall leaves scuttle in spirals across the highway through the dark. My heart became wide open, expanding beyond my body, beyond my soul, so that I had the most incredible feeling of love and gratitude. I closed my eyes and envisioned myself circling my arms around the whole world in a great loving embrace. And on this Thanksgiving, I was truly thankful.

From the Toymaker's November Newsletter:
Appreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of
your thankful thoughts.
-Alan Cohen

And so it is.

10 comments:

Nan said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We too got together with family about 4 hours from our home. We are still at my brother's home this morning. I had to bring the laptop so I wouldn't go through withdrawal. LOL
Nan

bj said...

I am oh so pleased that your holiday was filled with family, friends and love. Mine, too. How blessed we are!
bj

Anonymous said...

What a lovely dinner table setting. Awesome. A bit colder today,though. :)
Alexandra

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a lovely Thanksgiving! Isn't it nice just to relax and enjoy the day, playing games and being with ones you love? We don't do that often enough.

Just popped in, my first visit! I enjoyed your reflections on the holiday, thanks!

Melissa

Justabeachkat said...

Hi there! Happy Thanksgiving. It's certainly looks like yours was wonderful...your post was so sweet and the photos too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier and leaving your sweet comment. I hope you'll come again...you're always welcome.

I'v enjoyed my visit here and also to your photo blog and I'll come back again.

It looks like you and I visit a few of the same blogs. Isn't this "world of blog" a fun place to be?!

Hugs!
Kat

Galen B. said...

Jen,
Your story was so heart warming and brought a tear to my eye and the same feeling of gratitude - for daughter #1
Dad

Anonymous said...

I thought I had you on my blog list. Getting you on it today. :)
Alexandra

kari and kijsa said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time spent with family and friends!

Have a very blessed day!

smiles, kari and kijsa

Donna said...

Oh, Jen, what a beautiful Thanksgiving Day! Such warm family memories.
Love,
Mom

shelbi said...

ohhh....what a wonderful thanksgiving day. you are truly blessed indeed. and a big hug right back at you my sweet 'sunni'.

ps, that necklace is beautiful...:)