Being Thankful

This is the busiest time just before the turkey gets carved by Jody and everyone is getting all of the other food ready. Lots of Potatoes get peeled on that day for Davy and Shane!

Thanksgiving is my mother's favorite holiday and it has come to mean more to our family than all the other holidays combined. If you can imagine 40 or more people gathering in a house to eat, then you have a small inkling about how the Allen's celebrate the 4th Thursday of November.

My Mom and my Aunt Lois's extended families make it a point to be there on Thanksgiving. Now with the great-grandchildren, the joy and laughter is even more louder and happier than ever before.

Two years ago, our Thanksgiving was pretty somber. We had all attended Dad's memorial service the day before and no one was feeling very lively. We kept it simple and no one worried about keeping a schedule. Dad will always have a place at the head of the table and our memories are more sweet than sad now.

There are many dinners that I missed over the years. However, with the help of a couple siblings, I was able to be there for Thanksgiving and completely surprise Mom and Dad.

Jody and Cindy picked me up at the airport that year and my sister Bev loaned me her car to drive to the ranch. Feeling excited and nervous; I quietly pulled up by the Catalpa Tree; walked up to the front door and knocked. In the country, no one is formal or afraid to just invite someone in. Dad called, "Come In!"

Taking a deep breath; so that I wouldn't cry, I opened the door and was halfway across the dining room before Dad realized that is was me. He always laughed when he got emotional and he laughed then. And my mom saw me about a minute later. She was so stunned that she asked the obvious question, "Bonnie! Are you able to stay for Thanksgiving?"

It was a lovely surprise and we all enjoyed our visit so much. I am thankful for that moment in my life that will continue to keep the memories sweet.

It wasn't my intention to fly out in 2009 because I had just attended the the All-School Reunion in Glenns Ferry at the end of September. I will always be grateful for that final time with Dad.

This is my second year to bring two of my grandchildren with me Hopefully, next year, Gavin will like his Grandma enough to come with me or maybe even my husband David will get to come.

Being thankful is not a complicated issue. We all have our Thank-You Moments! If we were able to bundle all of them up together, there would be no room for discontent or apathy. And if we shared those moments with a stranger, loved one or friend;, they, in-turn, might just pass it on to someone else.

I am thankful for mended hearts, my husband's love and respect and new beginnings. Today, I am thankful for the memory of my Dad running up the driveway to throw his arms around me for the first time in 13 years. I don't think that there is enough words in the entire English dictionary that can adequately express how I felt in that moment.

We can always begin again with our relationships. Sometimes you have to recognize that burned bridges are not obstacles but opportunities to start building new memories out of the ashes.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I hope that you all have a safe and joyful day!