Skip to main content

Thanksgiving and Traditions

Most Americans will spend today rushing around in preparation for their Thanksgiving celebration. The holiday where we give thanks to God for all that He is and has done in our lives. It’s a day we typically get together with family far and near, invite friends to join and we over indulge in all things savory and sweet. 

It’s said to be the busiest travel day. My husband will be among those millions flying home from his business trip. The grocery stores will be packed, the lines will be long, and items like chestnuts, marshmallows and fresh herbs will be short. Ah, the holiday season. 

I have incredible memories of going to my grandmas house . I don’t eat any of the traditional Thanksgiving meal but I love the tradition of family get togethers. We’ve had many good times of laughter, playing games and watching football. Well, at least listening to the guys watching and yelling at the game. 

Of course like most families, we started our own traditions when we moved away and out of state. As our family expanded it became, whoever can come and they would stay as long as they could. So many more memories made over those past 30 something years. As the kids got married and we moved out of state again, it looked different. We even had our very first Thanksgiving meal with just the two of us. That too is a fond memory. 

As much as I love tradition, Thanksgiving has looked different many years. This year is no exception. I’m sitting in a hotel room as I fulfill my role in our relocation back to Phoenix. It’s just how we do this and after at least a dozen times, by golly I think we’ve got it. The movers came and packed up the house over the last two days. I loved that house more than I should. I mean, it’s just a house. But, it really did serve us well as a home. Our neighbors are top notch. I will miss them greatly. It was a very emotional day and if I’m honest. It still is. It’s still very fresh. 

But GOD! In His grace and mercy has blessed us with taking us back to Phoenix. I am so  thankful. He is so good to us. We don’t deserve it but I am incredibly thankful. So, instead of rushing around with the crowd today because I forgot whip cream for the pies, I will be signing papers. I’m thankful. Thankful the house has sold and we can move on to this next chapter. I’m thankful for neighbors who became the best of friends. And I’m thankful for their help through this process by looking after the house as if it were their own. ( I mean who catches an armadillo because it’s destroying your yard for you?) I’m thankful that we had an amazing crew to pack and load us up on a cooler day than the heat of summer days past. I’m thankful to be in a warm hotel room with fresh linens, and somewhat decent coffee. I’m thankful a Starbucks is nearby for me to make a trip later. 😉

Mostly, I’m thankful that God has been present throughout. He has orchestrated these past five years like nothing I ever could have imaged. I am thankful! When I wanted to panic He reminded me that He is in control. He is good and He is good to me. It’s been an experience of a lifetime. 

I’m thankful I get  to go home tomorrow morning to spend time with my family! I’m thankful our daughter and son-in-love will host us and cook their first turkey. I’ve so enjoyed the text messages and phone calls from her “ How long do you microwave a 25 pound turkey?” “Do I have to put the butter under the skin, because that’s commitment.” She has her dad’s sense of humor for sure.

  I don’t know what our new traditional Thanksgiving will look like or if there will be whip cream for the pies but I do know that I will continue to praise God for all that He has done and continue to give Him the glory for it all. 

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving no matter your tradition or circumstances. There is always so much to be thankful for! Except maybe a microwaved turkey. 😂 please don’t do that. 

-Pressing On 





“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
Psalm 9:1 NIV

“I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:2 NIV


“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Season of Spring

  The mornings are so beautiful right now that I want to soak them in before the scorching heat is in its full glory. The sun comes up shortly after I do this time of year. My favorite thing to do is grab my bible, journal and a cup of coffee and sit out back with Annie while the sun rises. The birds are literally singing, the quail make more of a squawk like sound than a song but I love it.   Occasionally, I will hear an owl on a neighboring rooftop or the party of a pack of coyotes in the distance celebrating their recent conquest. I’m always surprised that these sounds don’t faze Annie one bit. Make no mistake, if the trash truck or other large vehicle drives past our dividing wall she goes absolutely K-9, as if she’s military, saving us from being attacked. Bless her heart.   Spring typically comes early in Phoenix and is somewhat short lived. I often think we go from Winter to Summer with seemingly little time to wear any of the light weight sweaters I have hangi...
2 comments
Read more

Woods and Deserts

  A dear friend of mine in Houston posted a photo of her daughter and friend walking either to or from school. At least that is what I assumed. It was a great picture of friendship shared between these two young teens. I recognized the path in the Woodlands. I’ve always loved the woods and that’s one of the many reasons why I loved living there. The massive trees, smell of bark, the rustling sound of fallen leaves and the warmth of the sun peeking through those shade covering trees. Nature is one of my favorite places to connect with God. I had many conversations with Him running on those paths.   I messaged my friend, “Ah. I miss those paths.” And she quickly replied with, “The paths miss you.” Haha. I think what she really meant was….. I am missed and it made my heart smile. I miss a lot about various places we have lived over the years. I am often asked, “Of all the places you have lived, where is your favorite?” My response is usually, “I have favorite things about eac...
2 comments
Read more

Minding My Own Tail

Have you ever heard of Happy Tail? Me either. At least not until our semi sweet chocolate lab came home from boarding with Happy Tail. They explained to me, it’s because Annie is so excited when anyone walks by her kennel; she wags her tail so fiercely that it beats up against the crate. This caused her to rub the fur off of a spot on the tip of her tail. Eventually, the skin broke open and it bled...... therefore she had been diagnosed with Happy Tail.  It cleared up until she had to spend a little more time in her kennel recently. At first I didn’t even notice. Only wondering where all the blood on my walls was coming from. Once I realized it was that Happy Tail again, I wrapped it with gauze and some first aid tape. That lasted only until the doorbell rang and a guest arrived. Several rapid wags and the wrap went flying like a severed finger and the bleeding was all over the walls along with our guest’s pants. So embarrassing! But also poor Annie. It had to hurt. I knew it ...
Post a Comment
Read more