A small but happy Thanksgiving this year.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (38024)
November 28, 2024 11:41pm CST
Well, Thanksgiving 2024 is in the books.
This was the smallest gathering we have had in a lot of years. The last few years, we have had both of my sons, a daughter in law, at least two grands of the oldest son, and sometimes my daughter's son or daughter, depending on where they are as they both attend college and work. Then my daughter, son in law,my son, and me. Last year we filled the house.
This year, it was very small. My son, myself, my daughter, and my son in law. Their kids couldn't come, and my oldest son ended up making Thanksgiving for his inlaws, and his wife's side of the family, as his father in law isn't well and they are all concerned about him. We adapt well, so it worked.
This is the second year we didn't do the traditional turkey, ham, dressing, potatoes, and all the fixings. Since steaks and such are at such a premium, both last year and this year we had prime rib...and OH, it was delicious and such a treat. Twice baked potatoes, carrots in honey butter sauce, salad, homemade breads....we were too full for dessert, so later this evening we had a sliver of pie and some whipped cream and coffee. It was a wonderful dinner and a special time together, even if there was only 4 of us.
We have learned that we have to adapt at times, and the days of it all being the same are sort of gone. We sometimes get together when it's not a holiday, so there's that, and we do love to be together.
We had a really good day, despite the fact there was only 4 of us. Oh, and my grand-pup, who worships the ground I walk on! A nice time.
I hope you that celebrate had good day, too.
16 people like this
15 responses
@kaylachan (70611)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Nov
George had a rough one today and slept most of the afternoon. He watched a race and I got to wash my hair. I also put new sheets on the bed, because he was complaining about it. All in all a busy and productive day with plenty of downtime. George is munching on ham (lunchmeat) and chease.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
I remember you saying he had an appointment on Good Friday, I hope you both get some rest tonight and that the appointment goes well, Kayla.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (70611)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Nov
@MarieCoyle Yeah, it's with the speach therapist. Which, at this far out, not sure what good it'll do, but they're willing to try.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
@kaylachan
I am just sorry that a speech therapist was not sent to your home, since George cannot drive right now.
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
When I first met my grand dog, she was the first dog I could remember that didn’t like me right away. So I did what they say to do if the dog isn’t wanting you to get close to it, it was difficult but I ignored her. I just gave her the impression I didn’t even see her. By the middle of the second day, I sat down in a chair and she calmly walked over to me, licked my hand that was on the chair arm, and then decided to lie down and use my foot for her pillow. Since that moment, she literally goes into orbit when she sees me. And she loves to stay with grandma!
We had a very nice time and we ate way too much! Thank you, Amber.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471740)
• Switzerland
30 Nov
@MarieCoyle - You are going to have a great day making cookies for Christmas.
I am really busy now, but I will decorate and prepare for Christmas and for our anniversary, that comes two days after Christmas.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
Anna, we are happy to get together always, and truly enjoy our time together, as well as the food.
We planned our annual ''cookie-making day'' for Dec. 9th. We spend the entire day/evening making Christmas cookies at their house to give away. Son in law loves to cook...he has purchased a lot of the ingredients, will have the rest of them ready by the time the day gets here. He mails them to all of the family we won't get to see. It's a lot of work, it's costly, but we have SO much fun doing it! And I missed some years helping with it all when they didn't live here for awhile. Now that they are back, our cookie day tradition has returned!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
30 Nov
@LadyDuck
We used to bake them together for the holidays when they lived here before. Then they were gone for several years..now we are back to our Christmas cookie baking day tradition, and we enjoy it so much. Lots of laughs, lots of bowls to wash, etc. but it is a lot of fun!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (107002)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Nov
I am happy getting together without a reason except to be doing it.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (107002)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Nov
@MarieCoyle I prefer the surprise ones the best. When people just show up
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
30 Nov
@wolfgirl569
I like those times as well, but I hate it when we are not here and we miss a ''surprise'' which has happened more times than I care for it to.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
There is a lot to be said for your very true statement. No reason is needed, just the time is enough of a gift.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
There is a song that has the line “Life’s about changes, nothing stays the same.” As we all know, there are good and bad changes, and also happy and sad changes. Some are life altering and really hard to accept and to work through. We have to do the best we can.
Like many people, my life has had many changes. I have learned that I have to try to adapt to survive.
1 person likes this
@rakski (124459)
• Philippines
29 Nov
@MarieCoyle
Change is the only permanent thing in the world.
We are true survivor
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
@rakski
For me, there is no other way to be.
Never, ever give up. Keep moving forward, it's what we do here.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
We had a very special day together, I am very thankful for it. Thank you,Lenore.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160779)
• United States
30 Nov
Last year Bob was having medical issues and we did not celebrate. We went to the ER. This year we were with a crowd. Each year is different. I am glad you had such a nice time, even if it was smaller than usual.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
30 Nov
Two years ago, my son was in the ICU, having coded twice...that was a lost Thanksgiving, but so thankful he survived it.
I am glad you had a good Thanksgiving and that like my son, Bob was able to go.
@shaggin (72199)
• United States
30 Nov
@MarieCoyle my daughter lives a half mile from me but she was sick so I didn’t get to see her on Thanksgiving.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
30 Nov
My oldest daughter does not live that far from me--about 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic. So we do see each other often. It ended up being a very nice day, even if some people were not with us.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
30 Nov
@shaggin
I hope she feels better very soon, and that you can have a belated visit.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (181203)
• United States
30 Nov
Small, but sweet sounds good. Friend and I were there with sis and family..my mom and dad were afraid of the weather..( maybe rightly so.) and refused to come However, a phone chat happened with them and the rest of us had some delicious food .turkey and all the trimmings as well as various pies
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137051)
• India
29 Nov
Pets do take part in all the festivities in their own way
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137051)
• India
30 Nov
@MarieCoyle Same here The last we had was a stray but she was more than pedigree. We called her a dignified lady
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
30 Nov
Our family loves dogs, so wherever we are, there is almost always a dog or two.
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
30 Nov
@allknowing
Dogs are like people, they are all different with their own personalities.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340657)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Dec
@MarieCoyle My Mum's siblings and all my cousins would get together when we were little but we all grew up, married, moved away, etc and some I haven't seen now for a good many years.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
1 Dec
@JudyEv I have lost so much family. I try hard to see everyone I possibly can when I can—cousins, etc. but there isn’t a lot of us.
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
As you know, I do have 4 adult children, but it's hard to get them all together lately due to jobs, time restraints, children, and health. We have to adapt, and just do the best we can. Thank you, Judy.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
I am so very appreciative that my daughter and her husband moved back to Illinois 2 years ago. They bought a house, and say they are home to stay. His children live here, and hers live not far from here. Everyone visits back and forth as often as they can. I am happy because 3 out of 4 of my children are not that far away. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (179787)
• United States
29 Nov
I'm glad you had a good Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful weekend.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
Linda, this is a stay-at-home weekend...it's dark and dreary and cold. I have no desire to shop or anything, I just want to be home.
1 person likes this
@aureategloom (10100)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
29 Nov
it does get weird when the family gatherings get smaller, but as you said - we must adapt at times. i'm glad 4 of you had a nice time together. maybe sometime in future you're all together again 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38024)
•
29 Nov
Oh, we will be. This was just how it worked out this time, it has happened before. But it's good to know we all try so hard to make it happen.
1 person likes this
