So here's the short of it, 
Happy Thanksgiving!

And here's the long.

We drove to Atlanta to spend Thanksgiving with Steve and family.  We are trying to get into the every other year mode with Liga and Valdis.  So we picked the odd year since that's the year that Steve's kids are with them.  That way we figured at least sometimes we might be able to be together.  But we do know that as families expand even that becomes more complex.

But today was pretty great.

So here was this year's line-up.  Steve and Pat;  Lauren, Ryan, Madison, and Buddy as Lauren is calling little Ryan;  Sarah, Ryan, and Jacob;  then Meredith and Ben; and Patrick and his new husky pup Skye.  Mom went down on Tuesday via the shuttle and so she was there. Then Alan and I and Liga and Valdis were there.  Betsy and Wayne came over for a bit late this afternoon after our lunch. And I mustn't forget - Steve and Pat's dog, Nutmeg; Sarah and Ryan's dog, Lucy; and Patrick's new puppy, Skye.

Down and back to Atlanta in one day is a trip, but it's always worthwhile for everyone to be together!

We didn't get to see Shelley, Lou, and Max, but they kept us included by sending several videos (and a post on FB) of Max enjoying his Thanksgiving!  It's so great for technology to keep us so in touch!

Now finally we are back home. I'm here on the recliner with the cat on one side of my lap (laptop on the other side), Sophie snoozing at my feet -  our grown children off on their own - my husband falling asleep in the bed - and me just thinking of how grateful I am for it all.

Sometimes I think Thanksgiving is so contrived.  And sometimes I think about how much we have and how decadent our celebrations are and how little so many in the world have - including those in our own city.  But in some way I know that coming together as a family and celebrating with food is the right thing to do. And we can also take strength from those celebrations to help us work on ways to help those who are are less fortunate.

So here's to Thanksgiving - - - from the Turkey to the pumpkin pie - and the babies to the great grandmothers!  And of course to the meaning of it all - our Giving Thanks!