Thanksgiving 2008

As we went around the long table sharing what we were each thankful for, my heart was swelling up with a mix of great gratitude and great sadness. How could the two go together I wondered? There I sat with my family whom I cherish...each one so unique and special. It wasn't a quiet thanksgiving, it wasn't a calm or chaos free thanksgiving, but....it was a thanksgiving filled with love. For that I am very grateful! The swelling of sadness came only because there was just one person missing. My Mom! We lite a candle in her memory and shared many words of thankfulness that she was in peace in Heaven. The loss of our Mom will be very noticeable this holiday season, but I am so thankful for my family in the midst of this loss!

Here are some fun pictures of our Thanksgiving together:

Eating around the table (not everyone pictured).

Candle in memory of my Mom.

We also got to share our Thanksgiving with our friend
Stephanie. She pitched right in to help!

It is tradition for Ernst to carve the turkey! He takes his
job very seriously!

Asha helped me decorate our table.