Thanksgiving looks a little different for me this year. The house won’t echo with the laughter of my daughter or the tiny footsteps of my grandchildren. There won’t be little hands helping me stir the mashed potatoes or the chaos of kids running around the kitchen. And I’d be lying if I said that doesn’t tug at my heart.
But life changes, families grow, schedules shift and sometimes the holidays don’t land exactly where we’d imagined. What I’m learning though, is that love doesn’t disappear just because we aren’t in the same room. Connection doesn’t fade because miles sit between us. And traditions don’t lose their meaning just because they evolve.
This year, I’ll be a part of their Thanksgiving day, just through a screen. FaceTime may not replace a warm hug, but it does let me see their smiles, hear their voices and be present for the moments that matter. I’ll get to peek into their celebration, watch the kids show off their turnkey crafts, and feel included in the rhythm of their day. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.
At the same time, my husband and I will be spending Thanksgiving with friends. The kind of friends who have become my chosen family. The people who bring warmth to my table, laughter to my home and comfort to the in-between spaces of life. There’s something special about sitting with people who care for you simply because they want to, not because they have to. It reminds me that family is both given and created.
I’ve decided that this season, instead of rushing through the emotions or comparing this year to the past, I’m going to slow down. I’m going to savor the day, the conversations, the food and the gratitude that still fills my life in so many unexpected ways. Sometimes the most beautiful moments of the holidays are the ones we didn’t plan; the quiet ones, the improvised ones, the ones that teach us how strong and tender our hearts really are.
So even though my Thanksgiving table will look different, my heart will still be full. Love will be shared across states, across screens, across dinner tables filled with friends who support and uplift me. And that, in its own way, is something to be truly thankful for.
Here’s to slowing down.
Here’s to finding gratitude in new traditions.
And here’s to feeling close to the people we love; no matter the distance.
If your holiday looks different too, just remember love doesn’t disappear with distance. We can still find gratitude in new traditions.
GenXGigi2 