Family Thanksgivgs 2011

What a difference a year makes, one year ago today, I, Paul and two of our best friends were driving from South Florida to Southeast Missouri to move my Father from one house to another.  In 48 hours, we packed, moved and totally set him up in a new location.  Granted it was only about a mile from each location but it was the fact that not one thing was prepared to make the move.

Today, I am sitting in Tennessee, only after moving three weeks ago and I can tell you it took a lot longer than 48 hours to make this move from South Florida to Middle Tennessee.  This year is very special for I am spending it with my Dad and Sister, no rushing around to pack anything, no stress of moving, flying or driving and everyone in good health. This is what the day should be about and it is priceless to me.

Growing up it in Southeast Missouri, Thanksgiving was always a family event, I am fortunate enough to remember everyone meeting at our Great Grandparents house for the day. The Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins all gathering for a day of home cooking, games and just being together as a family.

Those were special times; the extended family unit was together as one clan. As our society moved forward, it seems to have lost this one important aspect of the family.  The family unit is more nuclear in nature today than in the past.  We move further from the family to pursue careers and then everyone becomes so involved with their own lives that taking the time to be with extended family does not seem as important.

This happen to our family clan, as the great and grandparents passed on, my generation was the one that moved further away from the homestead. We were the ones that pursued those careers and just never seem to have any time to make it home for the holidays. I, for one, realized this but only after the passing of my Mother.

Thanksgiving was always a special holiday for her. She called it her mid holiday.  Halloween was the first because of my birth, then Thanksgiving and ending with Christmas. She always wanted the family together for the holiday and for so many years it was just never possible for all of us to be in on location for this weekend.

Okay, I admit, my sister and I were too involved in our own lives at the time to think it to be a big deal.  You always think next year, I will take time off to be with family and next year you say okay next year.  I finally decided it was this year; I had to be with my Father and Sister. I had to be home with family for the holidays.

 I tell you now, as I sit typing this, my Dad reading a novel, and my sister watching the Dolphins/Cowboys game, it is the most relaxing, stress free Thanksgiving that I can remember in many years.  My Mother would be so proud to see her family finally together for Thanksgiving.  I can hear her now, saying “I would love another cup of coffee but I have babies (dogs) on my lap” and of course, I or Paul would be the ones getting that cup of coffee.     So this Thanksgiving, I am thankful to be back home with the family.   Now it is time for a cup of coffee in honor of Mom...  Happy Thanksgiving 2011.

Till Next time   LB