Giving Thanks

The Christmas decorations are out in the neighborhood. Radio playing Christmas music. Christmas sales have begun. Is it December?

Nope. Thanksgiving.

Such an overlooked holiday that just blends right into Christmas. We cook all day, eat a big meal, maybe watch some football and then get ready for Christmas. What happened to actually taking a day out to show gratitude?

This year, since I was on call, we were landlocked. It was just the four of us for Thanksgiving. So we had a family meeting and decided to do something a little "non-traditional" for Thanksgiving this year.

We got everyone out on a beautiful day hike along the San Gabriel River/Goodwater Loop Trail along Lake Georgetown. It was relatively quiet- a few other nature lovers. But for the most part we had the trail to ourselves. We chatted, laughed, found our first geocache. Since my kids are adults, we don't see much of them these days. They are busy with school, work, and their own lives. But I loved our time out there on the trail. Feeling really grateful for these important people in my life.

We did come home in time to heat up a previously smoked turkey, a home-made pot of pinto beans and some store-bought tamales. Add a couple veggies and a salad, and there was dinner. No fuss, no muss. We ended our day with a fire in the outside firepit under the stars on a cool but not cold evening. A vegan apple cobbler topped off our quiet night.

As I headed to bed that evening, I thought for the first time in a long day, I had a Thanksgiving Day truly full of thanks.