Thanks-getting...

 For the past 35 years Chris and I have hosted Thanksgiving almost every year. Some of those years we didn't have many family members around, so we ended up inviting people we knew (some we hardly knew!) who didn't have a place to go. We had some memorable holidays with diverse and fascinating people. 

Since we moved to Maine we have plenty of family nearby(ish) but we always still have a guest or two gracing our table, and that is an added happiness. Having a houseful of people for this holiday is a true joy to me, one I look forward to all year.

. I love bringing out the mismatched China dishes and silverware. I delight in plotting the menu, mapping out the grocery list and making this old house shine. 

This year sister Deb, Rachel and I all commandeered the kitchen on Wednesday and cooked all day. We made stuffing (two kinds) cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, roasted squash for a fabulous salad, pecan pies, spice cake, rum cake and eggnog pie. There was music and laughter and pleasant togetherness. It made my heart happy. Rachel worked circles around us, juggling two wee ones at the same time, we watched in awe.

Brother-in-law John kindly let us task him, "Please reach this? Could you bring in more firewood? Extra chairs from the garage? He was good natured and kind throughout. 

My creative niece Aimee volunteered to decorate the table, and I happily anticipated her inventive flair adding a whole new level of enjoyment. She didn't disappoint. Layers of greens, apples, cinnamon sticks, and lots of candles for the win.     

It looked incredible when the table was empty, but oh! it was even better when everyone gathered around to share conversation as well as lots and lots of food. There were sixteen people to feed, and Deb and I locked eyes and shared a conspiratorial smile when we listened to chatter and ripples of laughter. "This," our gaze said, "This is what it's all about."  

This humorous sign sister Donna gave me years ago greeted guests and helped remind them proper gathering etiquette. My birth family needed this sign, because many a holiday dinner was ruined with heated political debates. I don't miss those! 

Here are a few glimpses of the day. 

The dessert table was a little excessive. I like that in a dessert table. 

This turkey was the flower girl at our wedding. She was six. I still like her an awful lot. 

No one went hungry. We cooked TWENTY POUNDS of potatoes for heavens sake. Enough for plenty of leftovers. 

We may host this holiday, but we get so much more than we give. People bring contributions to the feast, cook, help make the whole experience work smoothly, wash dishes, fill the house with love and, most importantly, hand down memories to the next generation.  There were four little girls here watching us, and I hope someday they will make the effort to gather those they love the best to be thankful together. 

Over three decades of gatherings have been enjoyed around multiple tables, in various homes, with an assorted group of friends and family joining in gratitude for all we have. It is part of what has shaped us, and for that we give thanks.