Thanksgiving Eve

It is quiet here--at my daughter's house.  Thankfully she has a very large home.  We are all tucked into our prospective bedrooms, hopefully sleeping, or at least trying to.  Me?  Well, I don't sleep very much.  Maybe 6 hours per night.  So I am up late on my laptop, as usual, my husband blissfully snoring beside me, not a care in the world.  It is Thanksgiving Eve.  And all through the house...well, you get the idea.

We are a pretty big group this year.  There are 8 adults, which include my husband and me, my daughter and her husband, and my 2 sons and their wives.  There are 5 children and 4 dogs and 2 cats.  We are a house full--literally, a very full house.  We've traveled from afar.  However, it is well worth it.  To be with family during the holidays is one of the most important things in life to me.  I love being with my kids and my grandkids.  If I could change just one little thing though it would be to have my parents join in the fun.  I miss them, especially during the holidays.

I am looking forward to tomorrow--Thanksgiving day.  I love getting up early and helping out in any way possible.  From stuffing the bird to making side dishes, to helping with the grandkids, to keeping the guys from stealing food and generally just having a great time together.  There will be story telling, jokes told, games played and games watched.  There will be heavenly smells coming from the kitchen, and much laughter coming from the children.  There will be kids chasing dogs and dogs chasing cats and moms chasing kids.  And there I will be--standing in the midst, watching with a full heart.  I love my family.

So tonight, while it is quiet, while I can think--I am writing.  I know it'll be a few days before I am able to quietly sit again, so I am taking advantage of this time.  Because tomorrow, well, I don't want to miss a minute of tomorrow.  I need every minute of every hour focused on them--my family.  I want to watch everything, from the laughter to the sharing, I want to remember it all.  Kind of like a picture I guess but in my mind.  A memory of tomorrow.

Afterward, when our bellies are full, when the guys are snoozing on the sofa when the children are watching TV, I will try hard to remember everything.  It will no longer be Thanksgiving, it will be over, and we will be getting ready for the next season.  And that's Ok, as long as I have right now.  Alone with my thoughts on this holiday with all of them--my family.

That's what I am most thankful for in my life.  My family.  I love them more that I can ever express in words, but I sure do try, don't I?  I try hard to share my feelings.  However, most times the words don't do justice to the emotions that well up inside of my heart.  My thankful heart, for my wonderful family.