Thanksgiving is such a special day. It’s truly just a day about family. It’s a day to eat food that you only eat once or twice a year (if your Christmas dinner is an exact replica of your Thanksgiving meal). It’s a day full of laughter, traditions, card games, and football (at least in my family). It’s a day to just rest. Rest with the people your heart truly loves. Rest after eating a plate full of carbs and turkey. Rest in the goodness God has surround you with.

This is my second Thanksgiving without two very special people here to celebrate with and it’s been at least a decade since Thanksgiving with my Grandma Linch. These four people held family traditions together. I’m thankful for my family that continues traditions even when most of the people in this picture are now in heaven. I’m thankful for my grandparents on both sides that got along so we could bring both sets of the family together to celebrate Thanksgiving as one family. I’m thankful I learned to play pitch from Grandpa Linch, one the best of them. I’m thankful I had years of eating my grandmother’s stuffing (yes, in the Midwest we don’t call it dressing). I’m thankful that my Grandfather Gill taught me how to truly watch football on Thanksgiving. This basically means watch until the food coma hits and then take yourself a nice hearty nap. I’m thankful that my Grandmother Gill taught me the importance of listening closely to all the conversations around you.  You never know what funny story you might pick up on. These people have my heart and I’m grateful that God blessed my life with all of them. 

Whatever Thanksgiving day brings in your life I hope you remember the traditions that were built as you were growing up. I hope you remember to be present with those who are around you. It may not look like the “normal” Thanksgiving you’re used to, but it’s still special. You’ll look back on this Thanksgiving like I’ve looked back on the Thanksgivings through the years and be grateful for what you had because that’s what God’s plan was in that moment. 

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) 

Xoxo, 

Rachel Marie 

PS. I would love to hear about your Thanksgiving memories in the comments below! :)