Thanksgiving memories…

I have so many wonderful Thanksgiving memories floating around in my head today.  I knew this holiday was going to be hard on all of us, but I don't think I prepared myself enough for every single memory to come into my mind from the past years.  I love all the sweet family memories that I have to mind today and I think God is helping me remember them for a reason.  (to be thankful for all the Thanksgiving's that we had with Mom while she was with us...)

   

One of my favorite memories of Thanksgiving was when we went down to South Carolina and celebrated with my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Allen at their house a few years ago.  We had such a wonderful time down there...we all took turns cooking in the kitchen, sat on the back porch and listened (and laughed) as Mom and Aunt Cathy told stories from their childhood together, watched the parade and good Hallmark movies, we took walks in the woods, and rode their horses after we ate that afternoon...  Aunt Cathy and Uncle Allen are coming up here on Wednesday and Thursday this week and I hope we make more special memories.  I know it's not going to be the same, but I want us all to try and make it a good day.

Another special (and hilarious) memory I have of Thanksgiving is when we had it at our house, and after we ate our delicious meal, Daddy made us laugh until we cried with his funny faces...and the candy corn.  You had to be there to see how funny it was, but those are the special memories I have to hold on to as this Thanksgiving comes up... I just remember that Mom was laughing so hard that she had to go out of the room for a few minutes, so she could breathe and then when she came back in the dining room, she burst out laughing once again.  Mom and Daddy were best friends and one of the very best memories I have of them together was when they would be laughing with each other.  Laughter is such a wonderful thing. Mom had the best laugh in the world...it was contagious too.  I bet she is laughing and smiling down at us right now in Heaven and having a wonderful time with our Savior.  I wish she could tell us what she is seeing up there, though. :)

   

I just have to keep telling myself and encouraging the rest of the family that Mom would have wanted us to continue to celebrate Thanksgiving (It was her favorite holiday...) and the rest of the holidays coming up.  I'm going to keep pressing through, even though it does hurt that she isn't here with us to enjoy time with family, all the good food, watching the Macy's parade together, and fun times cooking in the kitchen. 

We have made it this far...and I know that we can, (and will) get through these first holidays...  Only with God's strength, though.  Thank you for all your prayers, sweet friends.  They mean more than you can imagine.