Count your Blessings

Today as I biked my three kids, in the smog to school, I reflected on two big things I am thankful for.

One is the family I came from- the Franks.

Thanksgiving at our family was never really the same year after year. Sometimes we would make the whole thing (Dad usually grilling the turkey) sometimes we would buy the whole thing made (Lunds Grocery store). Sometimes we would pack the whole family in the car and drive eight+ hours to my Grandparents in Iowa. Here we would be put at the "kids" table for the big meal and usually we would complain that we were not grown up enough to eat with the adults. But no matter how we "ate" the meal it was always so fun to just be together. It was always wonderful to laugh, play outside, visit with people, watch TV and generally be a family. I am truly blessed that my family just loved to BE together.

The second is the family I married into- the Meyers

My first Thanksgiving with the Meyers I ask my Mom in Law how I can help. She opens the freezer and put two frozen packages of cranberries on the stove. She then tells me to "make some cranberry sauce". I look up at her- thinking it only came from a can. She says- just add sugar, boil and you will have cranberry sauce! I had never thought this is HOW you make it! So, as I stood there watching the cranberries explode and make amazing cranberry sauce I also learned the ins and outs of how to make a whole Thanksgiving meal. I am truly blessed to have been taught how to make so much from scratch from Christy Meyer!

So this year as I plan and prepare our Thanksgiving meal I am so very thankful for where I have come from. Our meal this year will be mostly with all Chinese people. Most of whom have never tasted a turkey, cranberries or gravy. Most of whom never think about being thankful. Most of whom don't come from very nice families. Most of whom are thankful for our family who loves them here in China. Perhaps that is why I love Thanksgiving best of all- to show love to those who need it the most.

Happy Thanksgiving blog faithful!!!