Thankful

Ron and I have entered a new phase in our “empty-nest-hood.” Our nest has been empty since the Fall of 2006, but this is the first time we ever have been alone on this holiday. Even before we had children, we shared this holiday with family. Our daughters were home at the end of October for our Hallow-giving meal, since we all knew that we wouldn’t be together on Thanksgiving. We knew this day was coming.

Don’t feel sorry for us, though. I’m doing enough of that for us. It’s really not a BIG deal, I guess. It’s just another day. And it’s not that we didn’t receive invitations to go elsewhere, (Thanks, Deb and Kubby!) I’m not sure that I would have been very good company because I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow. So we are going to go to a local restaurant and then spend the rest of the day at the movie theater.

This didn’t all hit me until the girls started calling me for recipes last night and this morning. They will be spending the holiday with the families of their significant others and will be contributing to their meals. I’m glad they will have something to take with them.

At Thanksgiving it is a Beeson Family tradition to go around the table before we eat our meal and tell each other what we are thankful for that year. Everyone says something profound and touching and then we get to Dad who will say something funny to lighten the mood. I am usually the last to speak and almost always get choked up and have to clear my throat and dab my eyes. Then we have a toast and dig in. Since we won’t all be seated around the table tomorrow I will use this moment to say what I am thankful for this year –

I am thankful that Ron and I are both gainfully employed. REALLY thankful for my new job!

I am thankful for friends old and new and family who accept me for the cuckoo I am. You know who you are!

I am thankful for my brilliant, beautiful (inside and out) children who are out there making a difference in the world. I am grateful that they are with good people that really seem to appreciate and love them. I am so thankful that they still like to come home. I really am thankful for my webcam and Skype and all the technology that allows me to stay in touch with my girls.

I am thankful for my Baby Hurricane and all the joy and laughter he brings to our lives.

Most of all, I am thankful for my husband and best friend who has loved and supported me through more drama, ups and downs than a guy should have to deal with in a lifetime! We have a good life and really nothing to complain about...

Yes, I am thankful!