A Thanksgiving Eve Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge Fun!

1. Tradition...how tightly do you cling to tradition when it comes to holiday gatherings and celebrations? For instance do you always do the cooking, never eat at home, always go to grandma's, never miss the parade, always watch football, never change the menu, always eat at 2 PM, etc.? Have you ever celebrated Christmas or Thanksgiving away from hearth, home, and family? How did that feel?

Until I read this question, I thought there had been some semblance of tradition in my life, but giving it a little thought, there wasn't much. It has always been a variable, especially after the loss of my parents. As a child, we spent Thanksgiving with relatives in Arkansas, and sometimes at home. We didn't always have a turkey ... if just our family at home, Mom just roasted a hen. When I married, my mother-in-law was insistent that everyone be at her house for Thanksgiving and Christmas and she always did the huge turkey. Everybody watched the Cowboys on TV, and the menu was always the same. It was a struggle for my husband and me to make it to both places ... my family in another state and his family here in Texas, but we managed to do it! Whew, it was quite tiresome.

Then, after marrying a firefighter with a crazy schedule, and also now being part of a blended family, kids grown and married with families of their own and also their extended families, and my own family being scattered in different places, my thoughts of traditional Thanksgiving went out the window!! After thirty years, I have come to be content, thankful and grateful for whatever Thanksgiving and Christmas blessings come my way. Each year is different.

2. Help...is it easy for you to ask for help or are you a do-it-yourselfer? How is that a good/bad thing?

It just depends on whatever needs to be done. I'm not shy to ask help if help is really needed or I don't know what I'm doing. But otherwise, I'm a do-it-yourselfer.

3. Abundance...what is there an abundance of in your kitchen?

Probably an over-abundance of tools, gadgets and appliances.

4. Name...the smallest thing you're thankful for?

I wasn't sure whether we are talking things, people or spiritual here. The smallest would be the peeps in my life who keep getting bigger every day.

the biggest?

Things: I have known the privilege of living 68 years in a country where I have freedoms that millions in the world will never know.
People: My family
Spiritually: God's unending love and grace for me.

5. Key...What do you think is the key to living a more grateful life?

Focusing on all you do have instead of what you don't have, the things that really matter. Focusing on others instead of self, being a friend, being more generous.

6. State your own random thought here.

I praise God that I woke up this morning after sleeping all night in a warm, dry bed in our spacious home. My husband was there next to me, the morning was quiet and dawn was beginning to show itself. As I arise, there is no fear of enemies in our quiet neighborhood, our family is well, our pantry is full in the kitchen, we have great friends, a wonderful church family, and the list just goes on and on because we have so much to be thankful for. 

I am loved, forgiven, redeemed, and have hope for the future because of God's love and grace. He is aware of all that's going on with the world, and all that concerns me and mine. He is working on our behalf.