Thanksgiving Gratitude

Oh Lord I feel fine today, I’m walking on cloud nine today.
I’m over that line today, happiness is finally mine today.
I guess I’m just a lucky guy and I’m prepared to tell you why.
It’s strictly on account of my Sweet Potato Pie.

-Ray Charles & James Taylor, Sweet Potato Pie

Day before yesterday, we had the funeral for my father-in-law. The day was long, but the service could not have been more heartfelt and beautiful, and we spent the day laughing and crying and hugging.

Before the service, there were preparations to be done. Food to be ordered, clothes to be bought, eulogies to write, relatives to contact, and so on. No one was really thinking so much about Thanksgiving coming up.

But yesterday morning, after breakfast, I had to run to the grocery store for some Thanksgiving stuff and on the radio came Ray Charles and James Taylor singing Sweet Potato Pie. James Taylor just makes my soul smile. I grew up listening to his music; it reminds me of my dad, of camp, and of comfort and happiness. I immediately smile when I hear James Taylor singing.

After the song, the radio program had a lively discussion about pumpkin pie v. sweet potato pie, stuffing v. dressing, vegan Thanksgiving v. turkey for all, etc.

And I took a deep breath and realized we had made it to Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving, we are missing my dad and Dear Husband’s dad, to be sure. But there’s a lot to be grateful for – most notably, having each other.

I am grateful for all of you. Thank you for reading this blog, for supporting me, for offering kind words and comments, for sharing my projects and posts, for encouraging me, for being there. It means so much to me that you take time to come by my little corner of the internet and say hi.

I hope you all have a lovely, wonderful Thanksgiving. Blessings to you all.