I am looking forward to tomorrow.  I hope you are too.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday by far.  Has been to some degree since I was a kid.

Over the years, I have gathered and celebrated Thanksgiving in the home I grew up in, the various homes of friends and neighbors, a parish hall of a church, the homes that my husband and I have lived in, the homes of various family members.

I’ve gathered in Tulsa, New Bedford, Tukwila, Boston, Hudson, New Ipswich, Louisa, Virginia Beach, Huntingdon, Floyd and Palymyra with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. 

I’ve gathered at large tables, small tables, round tables, square tables, tv dinner trays, on a couch in front of a TV.  

At these Thanksgiving gatherings, I’ve enjoyed oven roasted turkey, fried turkey, brined roasted turkey, butter rubbed roasted turkey, smoked turkey, candied yams, dressing, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, potato salad, brisket, tabbouleh, pink sh*t, ambrosia/5 cup salad, pecan pie, lemon ice box pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, potato rolls, dinner rolls, homemade biscuits, barbecued brisket, green bean casserole, fried chicken, cranberry sauce-age (what I call that canned stuff served directly out of the can on its side ridges and all), cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese, mashed parsnips and turnips, chocolate pecan pie, bourbon pecan pie, apple pie, cherry pie, chocolate cake, coconut cake, chocolate truffles, fudge, and all kinds of other delicious treats and foods.

I’ve gathered with beloved family members, beloved friends and acquaintances old and new.  I’ve gathered with friends and family of all faiths — Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and those who don’t subscribe to any one in particular or who let their subscriptions expire long ago journeying along hoping to find a renewal of faith, always eager to gather and give thanks and gratitude for the abundance we enjoy in our beloved democratic republic.

I’ve gathered with people on the right, on the left, and just present with no need to pick a side or color.  I’ve gathered with those who support and affirm you, those who like to push your buttons, those who roll their eyes as you are just you, those who love and cherish you being you.

I’ve gathered with many no longer physically present on this earthly journey, with many still present on their earthly journey.  I’ve gathered in person.  I’ve gathered on the phone — you know those friends and family that Thanksgiving, Christmas and their birthday may be the only times you talk to one another.  I’ve gathered on cold Thanksgivings, on mild Thanksgivings where I walked along the beach with only a light sweater on, on rainy dreary Thanksgivings, on sunny bright Thanksgivings.

Each and every Thanksgiving gathering I’ve attended I cherish in my heart.  There may have been tension between some of the hosts and hostesses and attendees and friends and family members.  There may have been differences of opinion, of faith, of what it was each of us were thankful for.  It’s not the tensions I remember.  It’s not the petty things said, thought, expressed that I remember.  It’s not the food — no gathering was lacking in that.  Nor the drinks or dessert.  It’s not the topics discussed I remember.  It’s not the opinions or politics of the attendees present at each gathering.

What I remember most about each gathering were the moments where I was able to steal away from my ego and tap into my heart energy, my higher self and realize it was in these gathered moments that memories are made, that love is recorded, that the wonder of having an opportunity be it ever so rare to gather with friends, family, and acquaintances and offer thanksgiving each in our own way transcended time, space, here and now and all our differences.  Somehow in that moment, we weren’t just brother, sister, mother, father, niece, nephew, grandfather, grandmother, son, daughter we were all united by our toddling along, attempting as best we can to express gratitude in this journey and to reflect that great Love from which we all come.

My thanksgiving prayer for you is that you too may transcend the moment at your gathered tables, transcend any tension, any worry, any resentment, any hurt and tap into your own heart energy and be aware of the memories being made, the love being shared, the love present, the affection felt.  Love is eternal.  It is in those moments of love, we leave our presence in this world.  It is in those moments of love, we are still felt after we are gone and we likewise still feel those who have passed.  

May the love at your gathered table be overflowing and the memories made be many.  

May you sit back amidst the laughter, the joy, the good company, the good food and take a quiet moment to consciously observe from your heart and be thankful for moments like this.

May this time together bring you and your family and friends much peace, much unity, and foster a growth in gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving.