My Thanksgivings

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  What a joyous holiday to celebrate our bounty and our rich blessings!  I wouldn't feel right this Thanksgiving without paying tribute to my Grandma Cottrell.  She passed away on September 25th and this will be the first Thanksgiving that we've had without her in the kitchen making the magic of the day happen.  So Grandma, this one's for you. 

As a child, Thanksgiving meant Grandma's house, and all that came with that.  Yummy food, fun games, great company and endless fun.  Reminiscing about Thanksgiving today made me teary eyed as I realized I don't know if I ever told my Grandma "Thank you" for making Thanksgiving Thanksgiving.  I know I've told her thanks for the food after I've stuffed myself full of the banquet she always placed before us.  She spared nothing in food preparations.  But, I don't think I ever told her how much Thanksgiving meant to me growing up, what it still means to me, and how I recognize now that she was the one who made Thanksgiving happen. 

Since I've been married, we've done Thanksgiving with my husband's family.  So, the last time I was at my Grandma's for Thanksgiving was Thanksgiving of 2003, 9years ago.  However, my Thanksgiving memories are still back in Meeteetse Wyoming, up on that big hill in that red brick house overlooking the town where there is so much love that you can feel it and taste it just as easily as you can taste the turkey and pumpin pie. 

Grandma, I love you so much, and miss you today!  Thanks for giving.  Giving of yourself, your home, your food, your love, your everything.....Thanks for giving, and making Thanksgiving what you made it for all of us.