November 11 --When Thanksgiving Looks a Little Different

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I’ve been thinking about how much our family gatherings have changed over the years.
Some chairs that were once filled are now empty. Some familiar faces are missing, while new little faces have joined the family. Life has a way of changing the picture around our Thanksgiving table, doesn’t it?
We lost my mom to that horrible disease called dementia. And let me tell you something. I miss my mom like crazy, but I do not miss that disease. Not one little bit.
My mom had such a wonderful way of making the holidays feel magical. She had a gift for turning ordinary celebrations into beautiful memories, filling our hearts with warmth, love, and a little extra wonder. Oh, how I miss that! And I think that’s one of the hardest parts of the holidays. We don’t just miss the people we love. We miss all the little things that made life with them so special.
And I’ve learned that loss doesn’t always come through death. Sometimes relationships change, families grow apart, and traditions don’t look quite the way they used to.
But here’s what I’m learning.
We can miss what was and still be grateful for what is.
We can pray for reconciliation, cherish our memories, welcome new blessings, and keep making beautiful moments with the people God has placed in our lives today.
Because while our family picture may change, God’s goodness never does.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)
So this Thanksgiving, I’m choosing to hold close the blessings in front of me, pray for those I miss, and trust God with the things I cannot change.
And perhaps that’s a little reminder for all of us. Don’t let the longing for yesterday steal the joy God has tucked into today.
There’s still love to give, laughter to share, memories to make, and so very much to be thankful for.

                                 Christine