Filed under: Holidays on the Road, Uncategorized

What Are You Thankful For?

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?  

How do you remember those you have loved and lost?  How do you keep their memory alive?  Around this time of year, with holidays fast approaching and family making their arrivals, is when I really start remembering and missing the loved ones I have lost.  I am not sure if it is because of the holidays and having family around a lot or if it is because today is my late father’s birthday: probably a combination of the two.

The way that I remember him and all those who I have lost over the years is to do things that remind me of them and of who they were.   Whether that includes seeing the Nutcracker ballet and accompanying symphony in their memory, because he had always wanted to take us kids (and never did), or going golfing in the rain because you have sweet memories of doing just that with them when they were here.  There are so many things you can do, including the more traditional outing of going to the cemetery with flowers.

In my personal experience of remembering loved ones on special days like their birthdays and holidays, I try to do something that would have made them proud.  I have found that being in a place that they had loved and shared with you, makes it feel like they are almost there with you.  My father taught me everything I know.  I remember him when I camp, scuba dive, hike, golf, backpack, sing, write, play the piano, run, and take the kids to the Nutcracker (like we did in his memory this year).

My father was the kind of father who fathered more than just his four kids.  He was a teacher who loved his students like he loved his kids.   He sang in a choir because his voice was like that of an angel’s.  He taught me to put family first.  He taught me how to write, play, and pray.  He taught me how to rough it and love camping with family as much as he did.  He ultimately made me the person I am today and I am so thankful for him this Thanksgiving.

Who have you lost that you are thankful for this Thanksgiving and how do you remember them?

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