Thanksgiving

As we were making the long trek to my parent's home for Thanksgiving dinner (the arduous two miles of country road), I read 'Over the River and Through the Wood, To Grandfather's house we go...' from a beautiful picture book bursting with snowy, country scenes. We we arrived, I glanced at the table set with my Grandmother's dishes. Lovely snowy, country scenes--evoking many a memory of eating in her home.

My Dad's mother passed away this past January, and I was cheered by a tangible reminder of her this Thanksgiving. I missed my older sister and her family (spending time with other family), but we had a wonderful time with my parents, my Mom's parents visiting from out of state, and my younger sister and her husband. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving, for me, without family.

Giving Thanks
Author Unknown

For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home--
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought--
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the 'Land of the Free'--
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!