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Now isn’t the only time of year that we gather to give thanks, but as the holiday season kicks off into full swing after Thanksgiving, it is a good time to gather round and reminisce on the year now coming to an end and the blessings we all have.
This year, I am particularly thankful to be able to have my family around me for the first time in almost three years. My children have grown, and life has gone on regardless of if we wanted it to or not since the last time we were all together. It fills me with such joy to be able to know that this year, our dinner table will be full once more with both sides of our family who so graciously followed us out to Central Kentucky as soon as they could.
I am not going to lie and say the last few years have not been tough without them. As any mother would, I tried to put on a brave face when my children looked sad come the holidays. I told them we had each other, and we are still thankful. Truth is, the holidays are better when you spend it around those you love and give thanks for everything you shared together in the year gone past.
Another thing that I have to be thankful this year is my father’s battle for the second time with stage four lymphoma. Before I left California, he had been given the cancer clear light only to have it come back as soon as he hit Kentucky soil last spring. But, with the wonderful care he was given at Ephraim McDowell in Danville, and now University of Kentucky in Lexington, he is able to celebrate Thanksgiving with us, and hopefully be released before Christmas so we can all enjoy the most wonderful time of the year together.
Whatever you are thankful for or raising a glass to the holiday season, I hope you get the amazing opportunity to share these next coming months with those you hold near and dear to your hearts, being your family and friends. This time of year always passes way too fast, and before we know it, it will be January. As we gather this Thursday and quickly enter one of the busiest times of the year, I hope your heart is as full of joy as my own as you enjoy the company of those around you.
Happy Thanksgiving!