Every other year my parents come to visit me for Thanksgiving. The other years I normally just stay home. Alone. Watch the parade… make a smaller version of a Thanksgiving meal for myself. Maybe go to a movie with friends… or by myself. This year I got myself invited to GA to have a Thanksgiving meal with family & I'm so glad I did! I wish I had done this years ago, but with my old work schedule it just never seemed to work out. I'm determined to go down again sometime in the spring & go fishing (I haven't fished since at least high school!)
Over the past couple of years several of my cousins and I have commented on how awesome it is that we're not just cousin's anymore, but truly friends. I really love catching up with them and hearing about life. I'm in awe of the perfect for them spouses (really I could just say husbands since I have almost all female cousins and the 1 guy isn't married yet!) that God has provided... and I love that closeness that makes us make sure others will be there when there is any kind of family function; just so we can hug and see each other face to face.
In light of all this, here's a short-ish list of things I am thankful for this year...
1. Luke 2:7 - And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger,
2. My Mom & Pops
3. My Brothers & SIL's
4. My Niece & Nephews
5. My Aunts and Uncles (all of them!)
6. My Cousins (& Cousin-in-law's)
7. My friends near and far who are really extensions of my family.
8. My Church Family (from churches past & present)
9. My Coworkers (aka My Work Family)
I'm so thankful for the family I've been given whether I was born with them in my life or not. I am so very blessed.
