A Memorable Thanksgiving

Memorable for two reasons. My sweet Aunt Lynne passed away sometime monday evening before Thanksgiving. My sister called me Tuesday morning to give me the news that she had died. I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. She was a very sweet and kind woman and will be greatly missed. She was just 42 years old. Another reason this will be a memorable holiday is because I got to introduce Jareth to my great aunt and my great, great aunt. Other than my grandfather, my great aunt Jan is the closest thing I have to my grandmother who passed away and will never meet her great-grandson. It was an emotional reunion. It was so nice to spend Thanksgiving day with her.
The holidays can be a happy time and also rough time for families. We mourn the loss of loved ones and wish they could be with us. But this too brings us a chance to remember the good times we shared with them. This honors them more than anything. This Thanksgiving I am most thankful for the memories I have of holidays with my family and also the memories yet to be made.

Enjoy each moment.

Remember how time used to drag on in grade school? It always seemed like summer would never get here. A year seemed so long, too long. Now, it's much too short. Jareth is already one and I'm about to start pulling out Christmas decorations. Two years ago I was waiting to get pregnant. Then I was waiting for the baby to come. Then it was Thanksgiving, followed by Christmas, birthdays, and vacation. I think of Dr. Suess' "Oh, The Places You'll Go." It seems that life revolves around events and has become a waiting game. A year seems to be summed up in birthdays, holidays, and summer vacations. As soon as one event passes we count down the days 'til the next. It's easy to forget how precious the days in between are. Everyday there are precious moments to be seen. Like right now, Jareth is asleep on the living room floor. He laid down on a blanket we keep on a chair in the corner and fell asleep watching the electric fireplace. I watched as his little body went from restless to still and his breath went from sporadic to regular. Such a sweet moment that could have easily been overlooked. Time won't wait for you to catch up. We have to learn to enjoy every moment, not just the big events in life.