There’s no way around it: the holidays can be tough right now. Due to the economic crisis, some far-flung families can’t afford to get together. Others can’t swing the traditional feast, and they’re dialing it back.
Other families have lost people over politics or another cause, and there are heartbreakingly empty seats at the dinner table. Still others simply have nobody to share the day with for any of a number of reasons.
In 2022, we started a new tradition with our first online OP Friendsgiving. This community is like a family, complete with grouchy uncles and a few members who make us shake our heads with their political beliefs.
But truly, we have such a lovely community of people here from so many different backgrounds. The conversations are enlightening and ever-interesting. Let’s “get together” here!
I realize this isn’t a substitute for truly being with the people you love, but I hope it helps the day go by a little more easily, just knowing that someone out here cares about you. We’ll be keeping this post front and center on Thanksgiving Day.
I’m going to post a bit about our Thanksgiving to get things started, and the things I’m grateful for this year.
Please take a moment in the comments to do the same if you feel so moved and let other commenters know that they’re not alone.
Our Thanksgiving menu
It’s just my daughter and me today, because we did a bigger celebration earlier in the month when my mother and stepfather were here. So we’re not going insane in the kitchen today.
We’re having:
- Roasted chicken
- Mashed potatoes
- Garlic green beans
- Cornbread stuffing with sage and dried, sweetened cranberries
- Gravy
- Pumpkin cheesecake
It’ll still be delicious and will leave us with some tasty leftovers.
Aden contributed a Thanksgiving poem for preppers.
Aden wrote the most beautiful poem that I have to share with you. As a prepper, it will really hit home. It’s called Comparison, The Thief of Joy. He’s so creative and I enjoy sharing this every year.
What I’m grateful for this year
This year, I’ve had to accept that my disability isn’t going away, so I’ve begun building a life that makes it a bit easier to deal with.
I’m incredibly grateful for my family. My girls and I have such a beautiful relationship, and it’s a priceless treasure. The fact that they are adults (25 and 30) and they still want to talk to their mom nearly every day just brings a glow to my heart every time I hear the phone ring. This year, my youngest invited me to live with her while I’m trying to find some normalcy, and I am so happy to get this extra time to spend with her. I love you, girlies – you make me the luckiest mom ever.
My bestie is wonderful. I’m an introvert. I have very few friends. But my best friend…holy cow. She is so supportive and always there to lend an ear or a shoulder. She is driven, goal-oriented, and has a passion for music that will make her a name on everyone’s lips one day in the not-so-distant future. She sings, she plays instruments, she writes songs. I feel so lucky to be able to hear her originals before they’re released to the world and to know the backstories behind them. Beyond all that, she is kind, loyal, and fierce. I love you, bestie, and would hate to do life without you.
I have the most amazing readers in the Bloggerdom. My work is such a privilege. I know everybody says this, but I really never expected to be a blogger with lots of readers. The fact that I’ve gotten to know such a wonderful, supportive, and caring community through the work that I do is a gift that constantly amazes me. I’m going into my 13th year of blogging on The OP and I feel endless gratitude that you all help me do what I love every single day. I always wanted to write, and your visits to my website make that possible. How could I get any luckier than this? You guys mean the world to me.
What about you?
What’s a dish that you make every Thanksgiving without fail? Would you share the recipe with us in the comments? Is there a story behind the recipe? If so, please tell us!
What are you grateful for this year? What makes your heart sing? Let’s talk about it.
And if you are struggling, tell us. Hopefully, a burden shared is a lighter burden.
That being said, we here at the OP love our readers, and we’re so glad that we can provide information and entertainment to you.
Happy Friendsgiving, from my family to yours.
6 Responses
This is kind of you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving Daisy and family. It’s just my daughter and I as well. I opted to skip the crazy big family gathering this year. Still I made most of the trimmings. Only smaller. Turkey, dressing. Cranberries. Mashed potatoes, broccoli from the garden and a pie. ( I love leftovers) I’m thankful for family, friends and my first two grandchildren. I don’t think anymore will be coming along. God has been good to me. Have a great day!
It was a routine dog walk that ended with double fractured shin (bicondylar tibial plateau fracture) . 2 1/2 weeks in regular and rehab hospital, plus another 2 1/2 months in a wheelchair plus walker. All this time my neighbors selflessly helped out. Laundry, yard work, house cleaning and dog walking. They refused to take payment, and were always around. For this I am incredibly grateful.
I am grateful for you, Daisy, and all that you do for this wonderful community!
I am grateful for the small cabin I live in and the peace it brings me to be in nature every day. I am also especially grateful for my friendships that sustain me during difficult times and bring joy during good times.
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
My kids are with their dad today, so I’ll have dinner with friends. I’m contributing a pumpkin pie, made from my homegrown pumpkins.
I’m grateful for my kids, my friends, my family. I’m grateful for my garden, producing with less-than-perfect attention from me. I’m grateful for all the stuff that could have gone wrong but hasn’t so far.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
As I sit here recovering from a mastectomy, I am so grateful that I have my life. Thank you, Daisy for doing this for us. I wish everybody a wonderful Thanksgiving.