I got the blueeeees and it's almost my favorite color....

I love Thanksgiving. Love, love, LOVE it. Simply adore it. I've always looked forward to big gatherings since as far back as I can remember. My favorite memories are going to my granny's house for the biggest feast of the year. Sherri would make her famous salsa and cucumber salad. Which, even as an adult, I can't get enough of. Granny would work all day on the turkey and dressing. All the kids would play "Simon Says" or "Red Light/Green Light" out on the deck. Sometimes the hot tub would be filled up. Sometimes we'd add bubbles. Granny would usually do her "This Little Piggy" dance. Phil's band would play. Everyone would play pranks on each other. In other words, Thanksgiving at my granny's house was pure delight. There was never anywhere else I wanted to be. It will always be a very special holiday for me. Even after I moved to San Francisco I would host the "Misfit Thanksgiving" dinners and everyone would come to my house to visit and gorge. A few years, those parties were HUGE. Those memories are of everyone being thankful to have each other and embracing the time we were allowed to spend together because of this honored tradition. Once I got to Utah and had family coming to visit around the holidays, I started making dinner. I mean making everything. From the herb butter to stuff under the turkey's skin to the giblet gravy and all the trimmings. I did that three years in a row at my father-in-laws house. This year, my husband and I bought our own home. I was stoked beyond imagine to FINALLY host Thanksgiving at my own home. Not so fast. My husband was called on a fire detail to Texas and left me out here alone for two weeks. I got to spend turkey day all alone in my new house. I would be sad except I decided to enjoy it just like I always have. I made my favorite, green bean casserole; and spent the day with some very good friends. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Even as my family called me from Texas with all the "dysfunctional" stories that I love so much, I felt genuinely happy to be where I was and doing what I was doing. About 5 months ago, I decided to give up drinking; or at least take a much needed break for awhile. Thanksgiving of course, has usually involved massive amounts of holiday drinks for me. This was my first sober holiday is a very, very long time. This Thanksgiving was about learning to be okay with ME. Being comfortable in my own skin, enjoying myself and my surroundings. Embracing the people around me, and most importantly, learning to live in each moment while CHOOSING to be happy. I am overwhelmed with gratitude this year! Thank you...