Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving. A time with family and friends to indulge in the usual eating of too much food, watching the game and taking a walk down memory lane. The truth is, love ‘em or loathe ‘em family can be a lot to take at times, especially ALL at once. Lots of hugs, laughter and snippy remarks, poisonous as mistletoe yet just as traditional. In addition to dealing with the immediate family, the in-laws and the out-laws (you know your family has them), I find myself stressing about:

How to prepare a Martha Stewart approved Thanksgiving feast;

How to NOT eat 10,000 calories in one meal and spend the rest of the day wishing you could just pull the old finger down the hatch trick;

How to avoid going postal and making your adorable relatives disappear;

How to swallow the fact that women pretty much slave away in the kitchen while men sit on their asses (with exception to my husband) only to swoop in just in time to carve up the bird (as if they had a damn thing to do with making it) because after all that’s "man’s work;" and

How to manage to find time to feel all thankful and shit.

Seriously. I don’t know about your family, but in mine I rarely have ten minutes to actually focus on what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about. I spend more time running all over the place trying to get everything ready for dinner, cleaning up from dinner and planning out the leftovers than I actually do sitting, enjoying the food, catching up with family and focusing on the many things I have to be thankful for.

I’ve decided being too busy on Thanksgiving does not give me an excuse to walk through my life without taking a few minutes now and then to remember how blessed I am. I may be a few days late, but I am thankful for these all the same:

Brent. My wonderful husband who provides me stability in so many ways and an endless amount of laughter.

My parents, sister, brother, and all of my in-laws, though we can drive each other crazy, I love them all.

My job even though its not my dream job, I am grateful to be employed in this economy.

My friends. Without them I would undoubtedly go insane!

Anders, my dog. She keeps me company when Brent travels, making my alone time more enjoyable.

Freedom.

My health.

My memories of all the places I’ve been and experiences I’ve had.

My dreams that allow me to want something much bigger for myself and my family.

The promise of life eternal.
So many others I am thankful for. What about you? What are you thankful for?