Nothing to do on Thankgiving but to give thanks

Okay. It's a few days from Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. Everyone is thinking about Christmas shopping. I'm usually thinking about the Thanksgiviving meal I will prepare and serve to my loved ones. I've had the menu made out weeks ago and the shopping all done. But not this year. Husband Ron told me to take a break for once.

It's daughter Stef's turn to host the Kramer side of her family for Thanksgiving day and mother-in-law Shirley invited us out for that day. I was planning on having Thanksgiving on the following Sunday but Ron said I don't have to work every holiday, one meal is enough. At the time I agreed. Why should I work every holiday.

Now that is a few days away, I realize it doesn't seem like a holiday. I miss it. I miss getting up early and sweating over the stove and counter all morning to serve my family. What's wrong with me?

I know. I feel blessed to have such a loving family sitting around the table enjoying each other company with the food I prepared for them. (Maybe it's an ego trip.) I never really enjoy the meal, just the company.

I should quit whining and enjoy the holiday for remembering our blessings, and I have many.

Take this day of the year and be thankful. I am.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

And We Had FUN, FUN, FUN.....now that

I know this title means nothing to the "under 50" group; but it marks the beginning of an amazing week for me - starting with Sunday.

Husband, Ron, and I had 4 tickets to the Omaha Symphony Pops concert featuring the Beach Boys on Sunday. We took our grandchildren; Alex, age 11, and Cole, age 7, to share the "magic" with us.

In the '60's, this was Ron's and my first concert date at Rosenbladt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, "I know, Grandma; you've told us 3 times already".

Ron and I had a blast; and I think the grandkids enjoyed the catchy tunes; even though they were not as good as Nickelback - "NO WAY".

Monday and Tuesday:

Preparing for the vendor's booth at the ICAN Women's Leadership Conference in Omaha.

Finished reading the Twilight Series. (The series started off sophomoric for me, and then it grabbed me by the heart.)

Wednesday:

Stef and I went to Qwest Center to set up the booth. ANTICIPATION!!!!! Couldn't sleep.

Thursday:

Up at 4:30; on the road to Omaha at 6:00 - What will the day bring?

WOW!! What an exhilerating day! We met so many wonderful and interesting people. We loved them and they seemed to like us - it doesn't get better than that.

Friday:

Slept like a baby last night.....Worked on our new orders......got a foot massage and pedicure.....time with my grandson. Life is good.

THANK YOU.....I love you all.

Giving Thanks

I love Thanksgiving day. Even though our small family is together a lot; this day is still special. I enjoy having the meal at my house; planning the menu, hoping the new recipes turn out right, praying everything will done at the same time; I want to serve a special meal to the most important people in my life.

Sounds dumb - right? Who cares - just another meal; like the many we share throughout the year? Why is this one so different?

This is my time reflect.

When I became a mother, the world changed.
When I became a grandmother, I changed.

The moment I became a parent, I viewed the world differently. Everything revolved around "what would be the effect" on my child. A person is sometimes overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising another human being. You want to do everything right (whatever that is). I wanted to give her the world, but at the same time, to teach her morals, the benefits of hard work, kindness, empathy; the list goes on and on.

Well, I lucked out. Stef grew up to be a wonderful person, in spite of me. Then, she and our son-in-law, Doug, gave us our first grandchild, Alexandria Grace.

I was in a position to babysit our grandchild full time. Stef was grateful, knowing the care I would give. But, she had also heard horror stories from her friends on "Grandma" taking over the raising of their children. She shared her concerns with me once in a tactful way; hoping I would never take Alex to get her "first" haircut, etc. I said "Stef, I already have a daughter". She knew what I meant. (See, I told you I lucked out.)

So, why is the love for grandchildren different?

For one, we didn't know until they appeared, there is another place in the heart for them. Also, we grandparents are in a more secured place in life. But I think the reason is the responsibility. We can just enjoy them. We can spoil; we can indulge; we can play.

Life is good. Give thanks.