I’ve always loved Thanksgiving. My family has gone big for it every year since I can remember. We used to host it at the shore with my Mom’s whole family. We would sing and dance after dinner. We’d spend the weekend laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

While some of the attendees have changed and the location too, the love and laughter has continued to grow. As I reflect during this holiday week on Thanksgivings of the past, the one aspect I’ve began to cherish most is the part when we all said what we were thankful for. We would go around the table and announce it to the group. Everyone had an opportunity. Even the littlest of voices would speak up. These sentiments would evoke laughter and sometimes tears, but always love. Over time, when loved ones were lost, memories of them would come about making it feel as if they were still there with us. 

It was and is my favorite part of the holiday because everyone is genuine. Everyone puts thought and heart into their responses. And with all the new children in the family, we have passed our traditions on to them. To see them participate is beautiful. 

Life is crazy. It’s constant. And when you’re in a big family, it’s easy to get lost in it all and forget to take a breath. Saying what you’re thankful for is a chance for everyone to take a breath and bare a little piece of their soul. It’s a chance for everyone to feel heard. A chance for us to remind each other that, hey, life is wild, but I’m here and I’m grateful. Even though we may not show it or say it every day, we mean it.

It’s a good reminder to be present and try harder to show thankfulness every day, not just one day a year. 

I am guilty of not taking a breath. I am guilty of not seeing what’s in front of me. I am burnt out from the kids. I’m worried about, well, everything. But, what mother isn’t worried. 

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about how I see the tragedies occurring all over the world. I see babies losing their families and their lives. And here I am, every day, living the privilege of loving my babies and being with them every step of the way. I am consumed in them. And while I may complain, because it can be a lot and completely exhausting, it is not lost on me how unique this life is that I lead. 

It is not lost on me how unique it is to have both my parents, siblings, in-laws, and 13 nieces and nephews and various aunts and cousins living within 10-15 minutes of me.

I look to them all to keep my eyes and heart open. I look to them to help me remind myself to be thankful and to appreciate that so many are living in fear and sadness, while we get to live in laughter and love. 

I look to the littles especially. The littles have the secrets of life. I’m convinced. My newest nephew was born in September. Each time I have held him, I’ve looked in his eyes and I can see it. He has all the answers, he just doesn’t know how to tell us yet. I remember that look in all of my nieces and nephews eyes as I held them for the first time. And my own children too. Their eyes are brimming with wonder and wisdom. We can learn so very much from them at all ages, but especially when they are at their tiniest and most vulnerable. 

I am thankful for our hardships too. While there haven’t been many, and I hate to sound like a jerk, but there haven’t been many hardships. But, the ones I have come upon have shaped my heart and brought me closer to those I hold dear. They’ve also brought me closer to myself. I’ve come to know myself and my body better than I ever had.

I be would remiss if I didn’t mention about Zach(especially since it’s his birthday). With the anniversary of when we first met having just past on November 9th (working on a full length story about that so keep an eye out), I can’t help but reminisce about our journey. The first time I laid eyes on him I felt a comfort and security that I had never felt before. After that first meeting, I just knew he was it for me. And here we are, twelve years later (8 of them married), three children and a house, I was right. Forever thankful for his love.

Do yourselves a favor this year, when you’re gathered around the Thanksgiving table, let everyone speak. Even if they’re shy about it, even if all they’re thankful for is that they made it to the dinner. Put everyone on the spot, get them to share a little piece of their soul. It’s the best dish of the dinner.