Sunday, November 22, 2009

Ready, Set, Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! It is my favorite holiday of the year, and I've been on a Thanksgiving high all week long.

Some of my fondest memories with my family are of our Thanksgiving celebrations. My aunts and grandmother would be in the kitchen, setting out enormous platters of the traditional American turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie, along with some Chinese and local Hawaiian dishes as well. Smells of cinnamon, pumpkin and bread would fill the house. The uncles would drink beer and watch football on TV, while the cousins played games in the living room. After stuffing ourselves with food, everyone went to a nearby park to work off the calories by playing the annual family football game. Then we would return home to eat another round of food.

This year we are hosting Thanksgiving in our home for the first time. Joining us will be my parents, two brothers, sister-in-law, brother's girlfriend, two sets of aunts and uncles, and five cousins. Oh, and one dog named Bailey. Somehow we will cram into our small living room and dining room for the big event. I am all kinds of excited about it. My cookbooks are bookmarked and grocery lists are made. The turkey is currently defrosting in the refrigerator (destined, of course, to be the most delicious, moist and tasty turkey in the history of turkeys). I honed my pie baking skills by making four different pies a few days ago. I think I may have even dreamed about Thanksgiving on more than one occasion.

As the Thanksgiving festivities begin, I have been reminded of just how much I have to be thankful for. I am thankful for my husband, who is a wonderful partner and friend. He makes me laugh all the time, listens with understanding and compassion, and takes his role as a husband and father seriously. I am thankful for our little amazing son. In the short six months of his life, he has brought us so much joy and laughter, stirring up wellsprings of love I didn't even know existed in me. I am thankful for our family. And our home. And our jobs. And our friends. And our health. I am thankful for a day devoted to celebrating the good things in life, and hope that I can continue to be thankful on all the other days of the year as well.

I wish a happy Thanksgiving to you, friends. I hope you have a lot to be thankful for!

7 comments:

  1. I am thankful that you married my brother and are part of the family! We'll be missin' you guys on Thursday. Have fun with your family.

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  2. Good luck with Thanksgiving. I think I need a couple more years in my house before I'll brave having everyone over.

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  3. aw that sounds like so much fun having all of your family there for thanksgiving! hope it's fabulous.

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  4. It's been awhile since I came by your blog. It still is as interesting as ever.
    Sounds like you'll be having lots of fun.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Alexander
    Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex

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  5. Must be really exciting to host a special occasion for the first time. I'm sure you guys had a great time. Hope to pictures on your next post.

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  6. Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for family and friends, a place to live, a place to work, and a place to serve.

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