Looking forward to tomorrow!

I don't know about you guys, but I am so excited about the holiday tomorrow. It is so wonderful having my family all together - well, at least my immediate family- and that is what I am most grateful for. It means so much to me to have my husband home. In our family, he is the one who usually handles the turkey! Not that I can't, it's just that it's evovled into being his job over the years.
I love every aspect of Thanksgiving! It seems fitting and right that this was the first offical " American" holiday, after all, we are by and large a grateful people. I love the idea of setting a day aside to focus on all the many good things that each one of us has in our lives - though I must say that I try to do that everyday. I love sitting around the dinner table with my family, sharing conversation, memories and delicious food.
I love to reflect on all those that I love who are no longer here. I think of Thanksgivings past. I remember my grandfather in his apron, my grandmother's smile. I think of my Uncle John who was so handsome, so quick with a smile, a joke and words of love or support. I think of my cousin Dana, who was so little when she passed and the brother that I never knew. Even though I reflect on these things, it is with love and happiness in my heart, not a sullen heart. I know that my loved ones are with me still, for those we love are never truly gone as long as we remember them. Every Thanksgiving I light a candle to let them know that I think of them and miss them still. My mother's best friend started this tradition and I liked it so much that our family adopted it too.
I look forward to curling up with my daughters on the sofa and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I have watched that parade every year since I was a little girl and it reminds me that though some things change, others remain the same. My daughters love it as much as I always did, and for me, the joy of seeing it through their eyes is twice as great.
Then of course there is the whole purpose of the day - saying thank you to God for all the wonderful blessings that he has brought into my life. I feel humbled and unworthy and so incredibly lucky. So I can't wait ....
I can't wait to cook my turkey.
Cuddle my daughters.
Look into my husband's eyes and tell him how much I love him.
Call my mom and dad and say thank you again for all they have given me.

Thanksgiving a day that should be every day, but certainly needs to be embraced, enjoyed and celebrated!