Same Old Same Old

Tomorrow we will wake up before the dawn and lace up our running shoes to participate in our city's annual "Turkey Trot". We'll probably arrive to the starting line late, as we often do. We probably won't mind - it's more about running into old friends and keeping up traditions that it is about crossing finish lines and getting exercise.

We'll pat ourselves on the back after our "work-out" by heading to my mom & dad's for a huge breakfast, followed by football, parades, and a huge lunch. We'll call my mother-in-law to wish her a Happy Birthday, wishing we could be in two places at once, helping her celebrate her special day! We'll watch more football, read the "Black Friday" ads, make plans for Christmas decorating, and head out for more family gatherings.

It will be the same old same old thing that we've done for the past 30 yrs or so. And nothing could please me more.

Because just one year ago, my mom & dad shared a hospital cafeteria-cooked turkey dinner in a room at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. And we kids tried to make the best of the day without them. But the turkey was way too big, and my sister got a stomach flu, and the weather (which was unseasonably warm even for Florida) permitted my son and nephew to go swimming on Thanksgiving Day! Which wasn't a bad thing, just not a very Thanksgiving-y thing, to do.

So this year, I am thankful... so very thankful that we get another year to celebrate our same old same old Thanksgiving. And that my dad is here to celebrate it with us. For that, I am SO VERY grateful to God!

What are you thankful for today?