Around The Thanksgiving Table

My memories of Thanksgiving Day are vivid, especially those that centered on the dinner table.  For as long as I can remember, our small family put great emphasis on the togetherness of the holidays.  We came from near and far, and met in places like Maplewood, Mo., Bethany, Okla., Little Rock, Ark., and San Benito, Texas.  We were a family of preachers, and we placed high priority on family time.

When I was a boy, there seemed to be a different empty place at the table each year.  A great-grandmother passed away; an uncle and his wife divorced; one year several family members didn't make the trip because of an unexpected crisis. But through the years, we maintained our Thanksgiving tradition.  Same menu, same smells, same full-to-the-brim feeling topped off with turkey sandwiches. 

My mom and Dr. Dobson's mom were the glue that held us together, even after they passed away.  The tradition continued because the next generation followed the recipes and kept the family together.  Our families have grown and new traditions have been established, but we still celebrate this time of year.

As you and your family sit around the Thanksgiving table this November, take time to be thankful and appreciate the people who mean the most to you.  Treasure those moments; laugh and enjoy one another.

I remember one of my uncles would say as he left the house for his trip back home, "We may not have this chance again."  Some years later, he was right.  Like so many things in life, we can take our most precious everyday gifts for granted.   Let your family know how precious they are to you, and whatever you do, if there are complications in your relationships, use this wonderful season to patch things up.  Thanksgiving offers a great opportunity for reconciliations — plus a whole lot of good eating!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  let the redeemed of the Lord say this" (Psalm 107:1-2)