Yet, there is something about Thanksgiving Day that is special in our family. There are no presents, there are no requirements, just good food and gathering to eat, relax and enjoy. For us it is one of our favorite holidays and it may be because we’re a really big family of people who actually like each other even if we don’t see each other often.

I think that’s what makes the biggest difference, if someone is from a big family where the holidays include required attendance with people who irritate, well – go skiing.

Look up the word “Family” in the dictionary and see the dozen or more definitions of the word. “Family” spans from plant life to organized crime. So it’s no wonder there are people who don’t get warm and fuzzy about family gatherings at holidays.

The first Thanksgiving Day was to pause, reflect and share the bounty of the earth’s harvest with neighbors, people of different races and religions. It may have included a Turkey.

Personally, I have a traditional recipe for sausage/mushroom stuffing that is awesome and my family dreams about it for at least a week. But there’s no way to break down the recipe into smaller amounts so, they only get it once a year, when I stuff it into a Turkey.

Which could be what the holiday is really all about, taking a day off work, out of the norm (it’s Thursday!) and eating a once a year stuffing with some fun people and at least one Turkey.

Cheers!