I love Thanksgiving.  When I was a kid, I remember sitting at the kid’s table, knocking elbows with my big brother and cousins, telling stories and laughing at jokes. The house always smelled delicious, with the heavy scent of ham and roasting turkey, and then the mouthwatering aroma of pies warming in the oven. We’d watch “A Christmas Story” on television with half an ear, at least until the football games were on, and run outside to play hide-and-seek, tag, or some other game we’d come up with on the spot. Being a kid, I didn’t take any time to reflect on the MEANING of Thanksgiving, but I think as a kid, I understood on a level that isn’t as easily reached as an adult. Yes, I took so much for granted, but I certainly appreciated it so much more, the moments, the fun, and the experience. I appreciated it inherently, by living in it, by reveling in it.

 

As adults, we do need to take a moment and recognize the meaning of the holiday. That’s why we have a practice in our family of going around the dinner table at Thanksgiving and naming one thing that we’re grateful for. Sometimes someone will groan about it, think it’s cheesy, and try to get out of this very simple and easy tradition, but we just refuse to eat until everyone’s had a turn, and that usually takes care of the problem. And it’s always enlightening to hear what someone might be grateful for. A lot of times it comes down to family, friends, good health, and having a home to gather in…until we get to the kid’s table. That’s when I get to hear the fun stuff…the pets, the toys, the favorite playground. Favorite socks, winter hats with ears that flip up with you pull a string, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Hello Kitty—they all make the list.

This year, I have a long list to be grateful for myself. I’m blessed with a loving family, a warm home, and the means to support both. I will be able to put food on the table this Thursday and choose which television shows to watch after our meal. I’ll be ready for the big shopping spree the next day, with my Afena Christmas Club money already transferred over into my checking account, but on Thursday, I’m going to revel in the moment, in the fun, in the family. I’m Claire, the Afena blog mom. Thanks for reading.