Growing up in a family of nine (including Mom and Dad), our Thanksgiving feasts were always grand, with the table crammed with bowls of vegetables and the main course, the turkey. Our turkey was at least 16 to 20 pounds for our hungry herd. We also set up a card table or two for guests, which included our grandparents or aunts, uncles and cousins.

While Mom slaved away in the kitchen, we sat in the living room watching the Thanksgiving Day parades on TV until the meal was ready. Dad would carve the turkey (he did much better using the electric knife – do they sell those anymore?) and we would slip into the kitchen during the TV commercials to grab a piece of stuffed celery or a handful of nuts to satisfy our pre-meal hunger.

Following the meal, there was the cleaning up, then football to watch. Later on, if we felt like eating more, pies would be available – chocolate cream, pumpkin, apple and mincemeat (Dad’s favorite).

I am sure this is a typical scene at many households during Thanksgiving. However, some people aren’t so lucky, especially this year when unemployment is up, and we’ve been advised to hold our Thanksgiving gatherings to a minimum. And some people may be missing from the table due to COVID-19.

But, I have always thought that Thanksgiving was not a group celebration. Sure, it was, and is, always nice to gather with family. However, when it comes down to it, we should all take the time to personally think of and be thankful for all the good things in our lives. Americans are blessed when you think of the rest of the world’s situations.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and count your blessings.