On Monday, Deborah posted about how her Thanksgivings have changed in recent years, especially with kids living far away. Oh, did that ever strike a chord with me. And I’m going to join in with some of my own thoughts on the same topic.
Thanksgivings and Christmases are very different for us these days, especially since my youngest daughter and her family (including my three youngest grandchildren) moved to Texas. I only get to see them for a short visit about every two years, and it just hasn’t worked out for it to be one of these winter holidays. Let me tell you, that stinks. And my oldest daughter and her husband (the kids are adults now and often do their own things) always go to his family’s cabin for Christmas Eve/Day which means our Christmas celebrations with them happen early.
As for Thanksgiving, I hosted it for many, many years, but my oldest took it over after I downsized my home. In fact, the first year may have been the one when (1) I shattered my ankle, (2) my mom passed away, and (3) I was diagnosed with cancer. I do remember how thankful I was not to have to think about entertaining that year.
My daughter Jennifer, Poppet, and Mom (the last Thanksgiving before her dementia took hold)
One thing I have learned after living 6+ decades, life doesn’t stay the same. Kids grow up and marry into other families. Sometimes they move away. Then grandkids grow up and start doing their own things. Parents get ill, perhaps pass away. Traditions that we think will never change suddenly are forced to change for all kinds of reasons. And it can be so hard to let go.
My daughter Micki with her mother-in-law
But as difficult as it can be, there is still so much to be thankful for. For the record, thanksgiving shouldn’t just be a holiday one day a year. It should be a daily attitude of our hearts. When I find myself feeling wistful for days of yore, I try to remind myself of that.
Things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving?
- That Jerry’s life was spared in his auto accident on the freeway and for our marriage
- For my daughters and their husbands and their children and all the wonderful memories that crowd my mind when I think of them
- For the many friends who have entered my life over the years; how very blessed I am!
- For our church home and the extended spiritual family God has given me as a believer
- For Poppet and Pinky and the hours and hours of enjoyment these two pets bring to our lives
And to all of you, my Inspired by Life and Fiction family. I am so thankful for you. May your hearts overflow with thanksgiving, tomorrow and every day yet to come.
~robin
Robin Lee Hatcher
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What a wonderful perspective, Robin. Thank you for sharing it today. Change is part of life and we will end up miserable if we don’t embrace it and move forward. And yet we can hang onto Jesus who is unchanging!Have a blessed holiday.
How good GOD is! He gives us new blessings everyday and gave us a memory so we can remember all of HIS blessings thru the years! Have a wonderful day full of GOD’s goodness!!!
Ours used to be with a blend of Terry’s and my families, hosted by us. I loved the huge family gathering. But in 1990, we moved away with our youngest son, then 13. For a few years it was just us, then our son met some fellows playing ice hockey. One became a close friend. His family was all in NY. So we began a new tradition of celebrating with that family. And I’m thankful for friends who share their holiday with us. I’m thankful for many other things, too, but this is your blog. 😉 Happy Thanksgiving, Robin.
It’s so true — our holiday celebrations change with the passage of time. But the fact that we have much to be thankful for at Thanksgiving never does. Happy Thanksgiving, Robin!
I too in my early sixties have come to realize dates aren’t that important. We acquired a daughter-in-law this year and I’d rather celebrate Christmas Dec 23 or Dec 26 or any other day just so we can spend the whole day together. My husband and I have started a new tradition of camping the whole week of Thanksgiving. That gives our two kids a chance to spend it with their “other” family.
Oh, Robin how this resonated with me. I am 74 and live alone far from my children. Holidays sure aren’t the same, but I am so thankful for all the blessings that I do have. I have a great church family and wonderful Bible study friends in town. I am a volunteer small group leader on Facebook for Proverbs31 ministry Online Bible Studies. Through them I have wonderful friends all around the world. I am so blessed!
Amen!!
I find myself in my 7th decade (How does that happen?) and have all of our children in other places. We love time with them whenever and where ever it happens. This year we were blessed with our first grandchild and give thanks for his good health and loving parents.
There is much for us to give thanks for this Thanksgiving!
Wonderful testimony of God’s goodness! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!