Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! I’m so excited for tomorrow — it’s one of my favorite holidays and is really the kick-off of the holiday season for me. I so enjoy all the delicious food and getting together with family. There’s something special about the holiday season and it’s filled with memories for me.

Thanksgiving is going to look different for me this year and in the midst of the grief of what once was, I am truly grateful for the memories. My dad really enjoyed the holidays. He was always in the best mood around them. He liked to give gifts and with Thanksgiving came the beginning of his excitement surrounding the suspense and joy of picking out gifts for us. He loved all the food too and no matter how big or small of a group of us would get together for Thanksgiving, he wanted all the “fixings” and we always had them. He made Sweet Potato Pie for as many years as I can remember and would often make extras to give away. I’m going to miss that this year. It’s strange that he’s not requesting a cheese ball for an appetizer this year because he always did. I honestly don’t think there was a part of a Thanksgiving meal that he didn’t like — except for Pumpkin Pie. This year is going to be very different indeed, but I’m grateful that the memories I have are good ones, funny ones, and that the tears are because of love.

Even though this year is the first without him, I’m so grateful for all the ones I had with him. I’m grateful that I have so much to be grateful for even in the midst of the hurting. I’m still excited about Thanksgiving and I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate with family. I’m grateful for the grief because it represents the love I have for him. I know I’m not the only one who is experiencing their first Thanksgiving without a loved one and I pray that they will be able to find peace and joy through Jesus in the midst of their grief too. It may not be easy, but we’ll make it through. Enjoy the time you have with your loved ones and as much as it’s said, truly treasure the time you have with them because you never know when the last holiday, text, call, visit, hug, etc. will be.

Today is also filled with anticipation and excitement for our family. The anatomy scan for our sweet little one is tonight and I’m so excited to see him or her and hopefully find out if we have been blessed with a son or daughter. I’ve been praying for this sweet baby ever since I knew they existed and I continue to pray for a safe, healthy pregnancy and delivery. If this baby has taught me anything already, it’s that joy and grief can fill my heart at the same time. There is such joy in the blessing of a new life and such grief over the end of my dad’s life on earth. I’m forever grateful for both and that they can both exist together. I’m also forever grateful to have my husband because he is able to experience both with me in a special way and he has been incredible during this extremely hard season of our lives. God has certainly blessed me beyond all measure with the family He chose for me. I’m a very blessed woman, wife, and mama and I’m grateful that God saw fit to give me the gift of life.

There is always something to be grateful for no matter what because of the love of God and the gift of Salvation. No matter what I go through in this life, I have seen God’s faithfulness and goodness over and over again. So, no matter where you find yourself this Thanksgiving, I pray that you would find joy and gratitude even if this holiday season is hard for you too!

Song(s) of the Week: This week I chose two songs. The first is “Gobble, Gobble” by Matthew West and it’s just a fun Thanksgiving song. The second is “The Thanksgiving Song” by Ben Rector. Enjoy!