Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was great to see extended family and enjoy a traditional holiday meal. The food was delicious and after a few years of small numbers we were back to a large gathering. An out-of-state nephew with wife and new daughter were the focal point and a joy to watch. Everyone lit up around them and it's easy to see why it is that people keep having children. They just bring "life" everywhere they go.

Of all the things I am thankful for, the best part of Thanksgiving for me was the five days "off". There was no need to wake up early for school and that was fantastic! Of course there were still things to do and take care of, but the break from the everyday battle to get up and out the door on time was a relief. Now they are back in school but that is a relief as well since they are not underfoot all day. My kids are wonderful and creative but they also have no sense of volume control. Most of my days with them at home are reminding them to keep their voices down. It surprises me that our children are so loud as my husband and I both claim to have been shy and quiet as children. What happened? I'm sure when I look back in thirty years I'll have fond memories of these hectic times and instead of remembering all the noise, I'll remember all the "life" that filled our home. And if I am lucky, I will have a house full of children and grandchildren enjoying Thanksgiving dinner and sharing their life and love with us.