Happy Thanksgiving!



It's cold outside, but my dad and stepmom are bringing in wood for the fireplace and I'm baking pie crusts in the oven to make chocolate pies (my sister's favorite). Not a bad way to spend a chilly Thanksgiving morning...especially with the residual warmth of cinnamon rolls in my memory.

You know, I have every right to hate Thanksgiving - the holiday has not been kind to my family. My freshman year at Northwestern, I lost a cousin to an automobile accident on Thanksgiving Eve and, of course, last year I lost my mother on the same day before the holiday. However, fall has always been one of my favorite times of year; I love the leaves changing and the cooler weather (although I hate the cold!). As a result, autumn holidays have always been my favorites (my birthday, of course, Halloween, and Thanksgiving).

And, truthfully, I think it's kind of silly to miss a person more just because it's an anniversary of their passing. I miss my mom every day, so the fact that she's been gone a year doesn't make it any worse...in fact, I would think it should lessen a bit each year. Although it's strange to think that I haven't seen (or hugged or talked to) my mom for twelve months, I don't feel I miss her any more (or any less) than I do on any other given day, hour, or minute.

So I'm still able to enjoy my fall. I noticed the leaves when they changed; in Chicago, they seemed to change on my birthday, a gift from Mother Nature just for me. I noticed when I first saw my breath in the morning and I enjoyed the feel of my scarf on the first day it was neccesary. I bought a new winter coat and I savored the scents (and tastes!) of apples and cinnamon and pumpkin.

And now it's Thanksgiving and the above experiences are just a few of the things that I am thankful for. Some others:

*My sister, dad, and stepmom all being together for the holiday.
*My puppy, standing guard over me as I type this post.
*My friends, long-term and recent, who encourage me, make me laugh, support me & love me.
*My memories, which live on in my heart and in things such as chocolate pie for Thanksgiving.
*My life, for with it I am going to do great things.

Last year, I didn't even notice the fall. This year, I'm jumping feet-first into that big pile of leaves in the backyard.

Sweet Dreams,
Lace