For many of us, Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday, filled with traditions.  It is often a wonderful home cooked meal with friends and family.  I enjoy hosting at home; we love to cook, entertain and create a table of love, thankfulness and humor!

This year I am in the middle of a tradition change and I am recognizing it is raising all kinds of emotions.  In the last few years, we have traveled to my home town because my parents could no longer travel due to their deteriorating health.  I was happy to make the trip to honor our tradition of being together.

This will be our first year without my parents.  The good news is that we will be cooking at home with family and friends. I thought the treat of being at home would help balance the sadness of not having my parents.  Now that I am into prep mode, I realize this is not the case.  I have been very emotional.  I recently choked back tears, not able to answer the simple question, “Where are you celebrating the holiday?”

My goal is to create new traditions.  I have asked our guests to bring a fun thankful verse, a tale or poem to add to the good food and pretty table.

How about you?  Do you have a special holiday tradition that makes the day unique?

Happy Thanksgiving!