Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving 2007 Brad (son), Diane (me), Adam (nephew-in-law), Bill (dad)

Thanksgiving 2007 Brad (son), Diane (me), Adam (nephew-in-law), Bill (dad)

Thanksgiving is the day we are supposed to step back and give thanks and eat enough food for a week, in one day.  No small task for both.   This is also the beginning of non-stop stress.  For some it’s cooking a huge meal they’re not used to cooking.  Or maybe you’re traveling with the masses and you need a Thanksgiving to Go.  It could be your first Thanksgiving gluten free trying to figure out how to navigate the most gluten filled holiday.  Some of us are missing family members for the first time and others are celebrating the addition of new family members.   Many will sit down with family they don’t even know and others will eat alone, or not at all.

Everyone has their story and set of circumstances.  It just seems that this time of year things are magnified and seem so much more intense in our lives.  So what can we do so we don’t all explode.

I’d like to suggest we first take a deep breath, and then another, and a few more until the heart rate has slowed down a little.  Next, let us focus on others.  What do others need?  Living in Northern Virginia I think this is a foreign concept.  It’s a very “me first” attitude in everything and it’s very easy to get caught up in that.  Next, what are you grateful for?  What has brought you joy?  What really matters the most when you get past all of the yeah buts.

I hope I can follow my own advice and take time to breath, think about what others need and remember what’s really most important and what I’m grateful for.

Here are just a few things I’m grateful for:

Every day I wake up in the morning.

I have an amazing husband that loves me as much as I love him.

We have two boys that are so smart, creative, sweet and healthy.

My parents and husband’s parents are still here.

That three years ago we figured out that gluten was making me sick and all I have to do is not eat it.

The amazing gluten free community I am a part of.

That I get to share my cooking and my life with others via the web.

That you are reading this and sharing your life with me too.

What are you grateful for? Don’t think too long, just type it.  I’d love to hear from you.  I always love to hear from you.

I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving week full of joy and please know how thankful I am for you.

12 Responses to Thanksgiving 2009

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