With Thanksgiving approaching here in the States, this seemed appropriate, and I think that it really applies globally as we all realize that we have a great deal to be thankful for each day as long as we are willing to look for our blessings.
Growing up, my entire family lived within about 30 miles of my home, so Thanksgiving was a full house until late in the evening. My husband’s family was also, for the most part, local so they had a big family gathering for every holiday. But when we moved 2000 miles away from everyone that we knew, it was just the three of us creating new traditions and finding new ways to celebrate the holidays. Some years we had a few guests for Thanksgiving and one year we even hosted a group of college students who were in town for an internship, but the one constant was that it was my husband, our son and myself.
Not too many years ago we were fortunate to add another member to the family when our son got married. And our tradition grew to four, in the years when our boys celebrated with us and just the two of us when they traveled to spend the holiday with our son-in-law’s family. But regardless, the number was much smaller than what my husband and I experienced growing up.
So it was particularly exciting for us when my husband’s mother expressed interest in joining us for Thanksgiving last year. Now we would be six! And better than that, there would be three generations together for our holiday celebration. Little did we know that was to be just the beginning of the excitement.
Our sons are friends with a large family who had been facing some challenges throughout the year as their mother had been seriously ill and was now in a rehabilitation facility. So the boys extended an invitation for all of them to join us. As it turned out Nan, their mother, was granted a short day pass to leave the facility and join in the holiday festivities. And in total, we reached an even dozen. But in true holiday fashion, we had enough food for at least three dozen.
As I looked around the table during dinner, it struck me that we had been so excited to have three generations together for this meal but what we really had achieved was three generations of two different families. At first, that seems rather spectacular. But as the day wore on and now that almost a full year has passed, my vision has become more clear and far more accurate. What we achieved was far better. It was three generations of one large family that we picked.
Over this past year, Nan has had many health issues and spent as much time in the hospital and care facilities as she has at home. But through it, all her children, including our two boys have banded together to see to her every need. I watch them together and I see that my once only child now has a handful of siblings who would do anything in the world for him, just as he would for them. And the smile that comes to Nan’s face when she sees the boys is priceless. From time to time she calls them her boys and their faces light up with equal radiance. Clearly, we are now one blended family and I couldn’t be happier.
I have always had many, many things to be thankful for each fall and every day of the year, to be honest. But last Thanksgiving was an extra special day and one that I will never forget. It was the day that our family more than doubled in size and grew to include some of the most loving and caring people I have ever met. It was truly a day to give thanks.
Family is the root that keeps the tree growing year after year. Their love for eachother, is what keep the tree blooming. The love of a family the most valuable asset most of us has.
The concept of the family tree is so interesting to me… its deep roots keep us grounded and support us even during the most turbulent times in our lives. And the massive canopy offers us shade and protection from the elements. As we age there is nothing finer than to come back to that shaded place and relax and revel in the arms of our family, much like the rejuvenation I find in an afternoon spent sitting under a huge tree reflecting on all that is good and bountiful in my life.