So Much To Be Thankful For

The morning of November 26 was bright, sunny, and warm. Xavier squealed and cheered over the larger-than-life balloons gracing Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and I was giddy with excitement over his every delight. Just before 11:00 we packed up the troops and headed to our local Cracker Barrel restaurant for a holiday brunch with my parents, my sister Angie, her boys, Gram, and my dad’s friend Engin.

If you have ever experienced the childlike fantasy found within a Cracker Barrel restaurant, you will not be surprised by my fascination in how the country store is decorated. Fit for a scene right out of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, we were greeted by red ribbon evergreens and pine cone wreaths, whiskey barrels filled with taffy and penny candies, seasonal displays stuffed into every nook and cranny, country music filling the air, pumpkin pie spice wafting from the kitchen, and everything you do not want your two-year old touching within a six inch reach. Xavier tore into a candy filled toy car in less than two minutes flat and we were pleased to rip Santa shooter candy pens, colorful striped licorice sticks, and holiday stuffed country bears from his greasy little paws.

The interior restaurant was buzzing with families young and old, and I casually surveyed the tables as the hostess, looking disheveled and weary from her busy morning, cheerfully led us to our conjoined tables by the front window. Kids were boisterously moving about, mothers were wrestling with babies, and older couples sat in relaxed and engaging conversation. Turkey and ham were being served up by the slice and there were trays of perfectly portioned pies at every table. I kept thinking to myself…that is a lot of pie. God bless those bakers.

Our happy and spirited waitresses did not greet us with Adam Sandler serenades and exquisite lunch lady fanfare once perfected by the late Chris Farley, yet they did offer traditional turkey dinners with all the fixins and if we weren’t full from the generous servings of cranberry sauce and cornbread stuffing, a pecan crumble pumpkin pie was sure to be callin’ our name.

I immediately broke out my camera to document the cornbread and biscuits being enjoyed by all, and I couldn’t help but pause and offer a silent thanks to my Father in Heaven for the family he has so richly blessed me with. From our newest addition to our patriarchal Papa, we have had our share of struggles and strife, but in the end we have had each other to lean on. Our lives are eternally intertwined, and we work for the good of one and all, whether stationed on the front lines or working quietly behind the scenes. I am thankful for all those present in my life, the visible as well as the not so visible. Whether celebrating a holiday or a milestone in our journey, uniting in the gospel of Christ is what makes this a beautiful life.



So, here’s to celebrating life with our families...traditional families, eclectic families, old families, new families, families yet to be...American families, Pilgrim families, tribal families...God’s family.



Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Celebrate the good in life and remember that we have so much to be thankful for.