Thankful

This is my favorite holiday.

My mother is here, visiting me. There's a pecan pie cooling in the pantry, a couple of appetizers waiting in the fridge along with a pumpkin chiffon layered dessert. Gravy has been made, and is waiting to be warmed. The vinaigrette for the broccoli has been made, the sausage for the stuffing has been browned, and the green beans are snapped and ready to roast.

In an hour I'll take the turkey out of the brine and put it into the oven, and start peeling potatoes and prepping the apple cake. Not long after that, friends will show up. My angel of a husband has tidied the house, we've got the extra leaf set into the dining room table, and right now we're enjoying a bit of calm before the storm.

I can't imagine being happier than I am right now, looking forward at the rest of the day. I am so blessed, with my home and my husband, and my friends, and my life - being able to have a safe place, to have the resources to put together a celebration like this and the people to share it with.

Thank you. To my friends, to my family, to the world. Things may not be perfect... but right now and right here, they're pretty darn good.