Recently, as my sisters and I planned to Zoom our safe and distant Thanksgiving celebration, we reminisced about memories from past holidays, when our Mother was alive.  Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday.  We would laugh when she showed up in her red velvet hat and red flannel shirt.  She would devour the food with such gusto, and in her enthusiasm often forget her table manners.  We would scold her and remind her not to speak with food in her mouth.  The roles reversed, we were now the parents reminding the child about table etiquette.   She loved my sister Ada's sweet potato pie and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.  We miss her at the table.   Overtime the pain of loss lessens, but the memories keep her alive and close to us.

That is the thing with memories, we can store them and pull them out whenever we need them.  They keep us company and bring us joy, they are with us in good times and in bad.  Making memories is essential to the joy of the human spirit.  So this Thanksgiving as you sit at the table with your loved ones, make memories, live joyfully, laugh loudly, be present, eat with gusto, be thankful, share your dreams and be hopeful.  For the table is the heart and soul of the home, where we come together and lifetime memories are made.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Meet me at the table

Maria