Our Thanksgiving festivities survived the pandemic and this year’s celebration of gratitude, it was a grand adventure.

From chopping, stirring and peeling together around the table on Thanksgiving eve,
To crafting cookie cutter cinnamon ornaments,
And potting amaryllis bulbs for all four households,
Brennan squeaked out a victory in the finals of the whipped cream game.
And thanks to Meredith, Lily’s roomie, my photo memories are now archived onto iCloud.

The best of all traditions is our gratitude walk. The inaugural year that I enthusiastically unveiled this idea almost a decade ago, it met with strong opposition. We’re talking weeping, scowling, foot stomping dissent. But, we’ve persevered, and that meandering walk along the White Pine trail where we recounted the blessings uniquely attached to each of our stories last Thursday, it was nothing less than worship.
Then came the annual family video reveal.
And our banquet, it was perfect right down to the non-lumpy mashed potatoes.

The fall decorations, they’re tucked away in Rubbermaid bins.
The puzzle isn’t quite finished yet but we’ve polished off the Thanksgiving left overs.
We cut down the perfect Frasier fir Christmas tree according to Starla’s specifications. “It must be majestic.” It’s accessorized for the occasion and tucked cozy in the corner right next to the fireplace.

We did it. Boxes all ticked.
2020—it hasn’t gone the way I wanted it to but after a turbulent year, God brought us together on that day postured for gratitude, recounting our blessings with and for each other.
Another year of mercies, fresh and new each morning.
Abundant.
Generous.
Enough.