thanksgiving is just around the corner and i couldn't be more excited. although france doesn't celebrate thanksgiving (french people couldn't possibly stuff themselves on delicious food until they can no longer move like us americans), they still have a translation for it: le jour d'Action de Grâces which literally translates into "the day of the action of thanks". for some reason the french name for "thanksgiving" evokes a stronger sense of its meaning than the english word "thanksgiving". i think since it explicitly says "the action of thanks" it reminds me what the real meaning of the holiday is. i take granted so many things in my life that God has blessed me with. this year i have made it my goal to find something every day to be thankful for and to find a little bit of sunshine even on the cloudiest of days (nice metaphor i know, im proud of myself for that one too). this has really made me cherish every moment of every day and to enjoy the present time and not to stress about the future. so this year while im stuffing my face with sweet potato casserole, i will remember the real meaning of the holiday and give thanks to all of my loved ones and to God for all of his blessings.
a few reasons why thanksgiving is hands-down my favorite holiday...
1) the day begins with the 8k turkey trot, which i will dominate my family again this year
2) squishing 40 family members into my house. even after years of this tradition i still forget half of their names and i always get mistaken as either the engaged or pregnant monroe daughter
3) food, food and more food. i love getting my second wind of eating. best dish: sweet potato casserole (mother teresa always has to make 3 different variations - one with pineapple, one with marshmellows and one with simply brown sugar and pecans). aunt lynne's strawberry pretzel salad is a close second. best dessert: pumpkin pie
4) football - watching it and playing it.
5) christmas tree hunting. the day after thanksgiving we always pile in cars and trucks and drive up to boone to cut down our christmas trees, which is the only way to buy a tree.
6) thanksigiving officially begins the holiday season. the time after thanksgiving until christmas is full of christmas music, ugly christmas sweater parties and holiday decor...it couldn't get any better!
