For the past five or six years, Thanksgiving has been kind of a sad holiday at our house. Our kids all live far away and since they almost always come home for Christmas, they can’t get off work or make such a long trip home for two holidays so close together. In addition, my mom hasn’t been well enough to host our traditional Thanksgiving dinner in recent years, and for the last two years has been in a nursing care home. Last year we took Thanksgiving dinner to her. The home where she lives has a wonderful dining room reserved for families to use so my brother and sisters and our dad brought dinner to Mothe (that’s not a typo…one of my sisters shortened Mother to “Mothe” years ago and it stuck!) 
This doesn’t mean we have nothing to be thankful for. Not by a long shot! We have blessing upon blessing to thank our Lord for. I’m so grateful that even though she suffers from dementia, my mom still knows us all by name and tells us she loves us. I’m so thankful my dad has demonstrated true, selfless love in his commitment and devotion to Mothe.
Our usual Thanksgiving with Ken’s mom and family isn’t happening this year either. Mom had knee surgery last week, and needs time to recover. But I’m so thankful she came through the surgery wonderfully. And that we were able to get a few “bonus” visits with Ken’s brothers and sister while we took turns hunkering down with Mom in her cozy, beautiful home.
Two years ago we got a “bonus” Thanksgiving with our son and his wife in Dallas when their baby boy made an early appearance and spent a couple of weeks in the special care nursery.
That year we were so thankful for the hospital and the technology that brought our little guy through safely. Our daughters drove to Dallas to help, and we felt blessed to get to fix Thanksgiving dinner in an unfamiliar kitchen, and then to be there to witness our sweet granddaughter meet her wide-eyed baby brother for the very first time outside the doors of the nursery. (Now they live even farther away in Seattle, and a new little brother is due to make his appearance in just a few weeks—or any day now, if he decides to show up early like his brother!)
This year, we will have a houseful of people on Thanksgiving Day and again the Saturday after. Our next-door neighbors own a Chinese restaurant and though we’ve been wanting to have them over for a meal, their restaurant schedule means the only day they have off all year long is Thanksgiving Day. We were pleasantly surprised when they accepted our invitation to come to our house for dinner that day! I’m excited to get to know them better (and a little nervous since A. how on earth do you cook for people who own a wonderful restaurant? and B. only one family member speaks English! Could be a very interesting conversation around our table!) But I’m so thankful for good neighbors and the beautiful neighborhood God has placed us in.
Then Saturday, we will host 27 of my extended family (including nine great-nephews and nieces under six!) around our table—and coffee tables and desks and TV trays and even lawn furniture if the weather allows.) I’m so grateful for all these precious family members who make it easier to be far away from our own kids, and who are such a joy to us. I’m also grateful that when you have nine little kids coming to dinner, you do NOT need to clean house before they get there!
Whether the holidays are like the “good old days” we remember from childhood, or whether they’ve changed to something we wouldn’t have chosen, there are still so many blessings for which to thank our amazing Heavenly Father. May you and yours have a wonderful day wherever you celebrate, whoever you celebrate with. Even if you spend Thanksgiving by yourself, you are never truly alone.
What does Thanksgiving look like at your house? What are some of your favorite traditions of this holiday?
Latest posts by Deborah Raney (see all)
- Inspired by Scripture - November 17, 2024
- Writing “The End” - November 11, 2024
- Inspired by Scripture - November 10, 2024
HI Deb, I loved reading about the ways your family has celebrated Thanksgiving and your plans this year. It is a wonderful season to connect with family and friends! I wish all the wonderful women at Inspired by Life and Fiction a great Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Carrie. And a very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!
Back in 1990, work mo,led us from SoCal when our families lived to Atlanta,. GA. Eighteen months later, work moved us to upstate NY. And four years later, we moved back to the Atlanta area. All our family lived in SoCal. For a few years, Thanksgiving was a little sad, as I missed the large family feasts. Then, our youngest son met some men playing hockey. One in particular became a good friend. From NY, they didn’t have extended family in GA, so Rob and Greg decided we should spend Thanksgiving with his wife and children. We did, and that started a new tradition. Still, I miss the large gatherings of family over the holidays.
It’s neat to see how your Thanksgiving “evolved” and began a new tradition, Ane. I’m trying to always be open to what God might have in store for each holiday, and not get too comfortable with the way things are now!
This made me cry and smile at the same time. It does always make me sad that we don’t ever get to spend Thanksgiving together anymore. While I am so thankful I have in-laws that live close by to celebrate with, I still miss my own family at this time of year. However, your post also made me so thankful that I have a mom who instead of whining and complaining and being bitter about this, finds God’s gifts in this situation. Love you mom, and am so grateful for the example you have set for me, even in difficult seasons of life!
Now I have to go greet my students who I am sure are thankful that they just got 30 minutes of recess! 🙂
Now you made ME cry! :} Love you too, and so glad we get to spend Christmas together! And I’m grateful for your in-laws too! We couldn’t be more blessed with the wonderful Christian families you kids married into, and we are so glad you all have them close by…even if we do feel a little jealous sometimes that they get to see you more often. 🙂 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and know that YOU are one of the things we are so very thankful for!
What a wonderful holiday you’ll be having, Deborah, spread out over a few days. We have family and guests coming here for the weekend–not as many as you, though. Only twelve people. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Lynn! Your post last Monday inspired me so much! Love the history of our families’ Thanksgivings! Have a blessed one!
You, Deb, bless me & so many others so often.Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Our growing acquaintance is also a joy I am thanking God for this Thanksgiving. He has spoken to me many times through your writings & this latest post lifted my grieving, aging heart and viewpoint. Thank you, Sister, for being His mouthpiece & I’m praying He will fill your harvest cornucopia to overflowing…
That goes both ways, Susan. You’ve blessed me. By your words above, and by the many other encouraging words you’ve posted in the past. Thank you! God bless you!
Hello Deborah. I hope your Thanksgiving will be wonderful. Yes, it’s quite different when our children move away . Since I moved back to Texas 19 years ago they are much closer to me.Most times we still gather at one of the children’s home to enjoy Thanksgiving, but now that the older grandkids have become Adults, usually some always missing. But, there is a big number of young greats now so still lots of entertainment. And, I thank GOD that we can get together most times. And, have so very much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Sorry your kids all live too far away but glad they can be there for Christmas. GOD bless you. Maxie
Thank you, Maxie. Our lives change but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, forever. SO grateful for that. And we DO have so very much to be grateful for.
Thank you, Deb for writing this post. Our Thanksgiving this year will not be like other years. About six months ago we lost a precious 14 year old cousin in a car accident. Our Thanksgiving table will never be the same without our smart, sweet Anna, but I know Jesus will be with us at the table and I’m counting on our Lord to give us peace that surpasses understanding as we gather as a family to count our blessings and continue to trust in our Lord’s sustaining love.
I’m so sorry, Paula. The first holidays after losing a loved one are so hard. Surreal even. What would we do without the hope of Heaven, without His comfort and peace? Praying for your family, that you’ll take joy in the memories of Anna, and comfort in God’s goodness “no matter what.”
This year we celebrated on Sunday because of my daughter and Son In Laws work schedules. Time marches on. For years I have always cooked for the holidays. In the process of downsizing I’m strapped for time so my daughter bought in a meal which actually was very good and saved a lot of time. Since we are moving to a small apartment my days of cooking for the family are over. We will be starting new traditions next year. The most important thing is to be together.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Shirley, you are so right that it’s simply being together that is important. Whether it’s a home-cooked meal with all the trimmings or peanut butter sandwiches, it’s wonderful just to be thankful for whoever can gather.
Sweet post, Deb. What a blessing your Mom still knows all of you, even though she has dementia. That was a blessing for us too, when my precious Mama went through that.
And even though our Thanksgiving is not the same without my sweet parents, we continue gathering and being thankful. 🙂
I hope you and Ken will have a very blessed Thanksgiving. (And don’t forget to give the kitty some turkey!) 😉
Hugs, Patti Jo
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Patti Jo! Praying all God’s blessings for you, as you are such a blessing to all of us here on Inspired by Life…and Fiction!
I’m late in reading the recent blogs, Deb, but wanted to say how much I LOVED seeing these pics. Such a precious family!