Thanksgiving 2018 is in the books.

It was a good day filled with family, some extra special friends and lots and lots of food.

We started the day with homemade waffles. We held hands and prayed a prayer of thankfulness.

I cried.

Tears of love for the people that sat around our table and tears for the empty seat this year at Thanksgiving. Tears of joy and tears of sadness all at the same time.

The afternoon was spent preparing for our Thanksgiving feast. Most would have their turkey baking in the oven smelling up the house with its goodness.

Our turkey was always prepared by Dad. He has a special way of seasoning his bird. He would stand for hours, days before Thanksgiving, grilling his one of a kind turkey.

Some traditions cannot be forgotten or left behind just because the person isn’t here.

Dads turkey made its appearance on our Thanksgiving table.

I could have tried to make Dad’s turkey.

I could have made an oven turkey.

But Mom made Dad’s turkey. She seasoned it with love and I watched her stand over the grill for most of a day.

Was it easy for her?

I’m definitely positive that it was not. But she did it. She did it because she loves her family. She did it because there’s some traditions that just can’t go away.

Dad’s turkey will not go away.

Neither will the special moments with a cute baby

Neither will great friends who bring amazing stuffing and beautiful pies and neither will surprises when other friends bring you the best smoked pork you might have ever eaten. Why? Because they love you.

Mom and I watched a Hallmark Christmas movie and as I listened to the corny lines and not so great acting, I heard this,

“Traditions are the stories that families write together.”

At lunch/dinner we held hands.

Justin prayed a prayer of thankfulness. He prayed beautifully and as I squeezed the hands I held, I was thankful for today.

Of course cried.

I’m going to keep writing our story.