Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends and give thanks for what is truly important in our lives. It’s a time to reflect and acknowledge those who are important to us. So, as we approach this holiday weekend, I would like to know what traditions are important for you and your family as I share ours.

My father loved Thanksgiving. It was his favorite holiday and he looked forward to it each and every year. We always celebrated at our house and invited extended family and friends who had no local family to celebrate with.

Preparations for the big day began the day before and involved a lot of baking. As we got older, my sisters and I would help by baking the pumpkin pies and pumpkin bread and my sister Jen branched out and started baking apple pies. They are the best! Our brother never helped in the kitchen when he was younger, but he was excellent at tasting everything!

On Thanksgiving morning, my Mom and Dad would get up very early to stuff the turkey and put it in the oven. It was the best smell to wake up to. My Dad would put on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and we would sit and watch as we ate pumpkin bread for breakfast. We always looked forward to the Rockettes and Snoopy!!

Once the parade was over, we would get dressed for dinner. Yes, we used to get dressed up for dinner and take a picture once all the food was placed on the dining room table! My father would then carve the turkey and as he did, I remember feeling so happy and lucky to have such a wonderful family. It was always a great day full of love, lots of laughter and delicious food!

Now as an adult, the celebration has moved to my house. We are not all able to be together physically, but none the less, we are all connected. My father has been gone for many years, but on this day, when we are carving the turkey, I can see his smile, hear his voice and give thanks that he was our Dad.