For the last 30 years I have “done” Thanksgiving. The last few years I told myself, actually I promised myself that I would not do “it” again. Our Thanksgiving feast graduated from a family of six to eventually friends and family, which amounted to about 10, sometimes 12. This was do-able. The last three years though, our wonderful fest grew from 12 to 14 and this year we are 19, possibly 20.

I have noticed that I have a pattern whereby I promise myself after each Thanksgiving that I will not “do it again”. I tell my children, I tell my husband and I also call my friend, Alena, and let her know, that next year I will go “away”.

Well, and then September rolls around. Slowly but surely it turns into fall, even here in California. My kids call or text me and ask me: “Mom, what are we going to do for Thanksgiving this year and who shall we invite?” Of course there are my best friends who absolutely have to come. My daughter will say to me naturally Judy and her boys have to come, they have been with us forever and then of course Alena and then oh Mom, this year let’s have so and so over. I sigh! Do I really want to do this again?

Generally it takes me a good 4 weeks to prepare. Plan the food, do the grocery shopping and eventually cook everything from scratch. Do I really want to do all this again? My children will tell me how much they love my stuffing and how much they want the red cabbage–my Grandma’s recipe–and of course Grandma Margaret’s pumpkin pie. I smile, and guess what I just give in and say ok, bring over whoever you want and let’s have a party.

Today I went to my local pharmacy to pick up a prescription and I ran into a wonderful wooden sign that reads: “Just go with the flow”. Oh how I laughed when I saw this and of course I bought it. I walked outside of the store, smelled the air, felt the ocean breeze and in this moment I felt so much gratitude. Gratitude for my life, where I live, my friends, my family, my children (I call the my three musketeers) and my beloved husband.

I am going with the flow. That’s the ticket! And you know what, I love it. I love “doing” Thanksgiving and having all the hustle and bustle going on. All the preparations and figuring out where to seat everyone, because a sit down dinner for 19-20 is quite something. I love it!  I really do. What a blessing in my life, I tell myself, that I can do this. I can share my love for cooking and food and my love for my family and friends.

I feel so blessed to be able to do this and to share not just the great food but also my home and my heart, my love for all of them. So, I am changing my attitude. I decided I am going with the flow. How wonderful it is to be doing all of this.

I love Thanksgiving and I am so thankful for the blessings in my life. I will cook, I will bake and I will have a house decorated for the holidays and share all of this with my family and friends.

Thank you dear Lord for this gift!

With boundless blessings ahead

BB

Barbara Bassill