When I think about Thanksgiving, I remember eating too much food, playing in the snow outside my cousin’s home. I remember waiting for my Granny to let us all come and sit down, but before that one of the uncles, sometimes my dad, was carving the turkey. I remember traveling to Minneapolis or Duluth or staying home in Wausau, wherever the occasion was to celebrate Thanksgiving. I remember a lot of laughter, everyone being so happy together. I was a kid along with all my cousins. We played together and loved each other. I remember the football games and the football pools, my dad saying ‘zero zero, means a whole new game” at halftime. I remember this sense of warmth wherever we were, even when we played in the snow, even in the cold, we were all with each other. I remember always feeling safe, that no one could take this moment away from me. I remember Thanksgiving meant gathering together and sharing love.

I wish that gentle memory can be your own. I wish you all love.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.