Happy Thanksgiving

Here in America, Thanksgiving is tomorrow.  When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of past ones with family.  I think of how we would celebrate my grandmother's birthday every Thanksgiving.  I think of all of the talks that occurred in the kitchen while preparing for the feast.  Where 5 or 6 of us would gather to cook for the masses that is my family.

I now think about how that stopped happening 9 years ago, the year my grandmother passed away, October 2010.  Thanksgiving in my family was never the same after that.  I believe as a whole we tried, and failed to hold on to a tradition that we had tied to one family member.  For us, Thanksgiving wasn't about this country that we live in.  It was about celebrating my grandmother, her birthday, and giving thanks to the family that her and my grandfather had created.

We have stopped celebrating that.  Why?  My grandparents have left a rich legacy, 5 children, countless grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  I believe we lost the focus on giving thanks to the family that we have, the friends and acquaintances that have enriched our lives.  The family that my grandparents had nurtured until their dying day.

So my challenge to you the reader is to try and give thanks everyday, don't take life for granted, it is short and fleeting.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you for yesterday, today, and the future tomorrows.