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This Thanksgiving will be very different for me.

Thanksgiving has long been a favorite holiday of mine. I have so many fond memories of gathering with my Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles and 14 cousins at my Aunt Jenny and Uncle Wayne’s home in Minnesota. I am so fortunate to have grown up close to my extended family, and remember that on this day, as we all gathered around the many folding tables, one by one we shared what we were thankful for.  Most often, the expressions of gratitude were for one another.  We loved each other, and still do.  After dinner we would head outside for a very competitive game of football, often in the snow. Later, we’d burn more competitive energy around a board game or charades. Wayne and I would also play the guitar together.  As we grew up and had children of our own, the gatherings at Jenny and Wayne’s expanded. When my Grandma Dooley passed away, she had 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. There was always room for another card table or TV tray!

This Thanksgiving will be difficult for my family, as we lost our beloved Jenny to cancer this summer.  So much like her mother, Jenny lived for her family and her church.  Cancer took Wayne from us 15 years ago.  My heart aches for my cousins Marty, Eric, Tony, Angela and their families. Jenny and Wayne were such an inspiration, always putting family first.  Their house was filled with joy and laughter.  They were always up for a parade, a picnic, the State Fair, or a road trip; and we were all invited. They were inseparable. In fact, it was never “Jenny” or “Wayne”, it was “Jenny and Wayne”, or when I was little, “Wenny and Jayne”. 

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the importance my Grandma, my Mom, and my Aunts and Uncles placed on family.  I know how fortunate I am to have so many memories, thanks to the traditions we held so dear. I am grateful for the comfort and joy Jenny and Wayne brought to my life.  I realize how important it is in this busy new age of ours to make time for creating special memories for our children and grandchildren.  I am thankful that Bill loves to do this as much as I do.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Love,

Carolyn