I'm not sure how it got started, but we started a little tradition at our Thanksgiving table. Before the blessing is said and everyone starts ladling food onto their plate, we go around the table and each list three things for which we are thankful. I know we've done it at least since 2006. It was one of the last Thanksgivings we all had at Jim's parents because our family had grown so large. It was time to start having our own Thanksgiving tables. Some of our families had grown to where the siblings were now becoming grandparents themselves.
The year before, during Thanksgiving, my husband had been in the hospital. The kids ate at grandma and grandpa's but I left early to make the long trek to the hospital, an hour and a half away.
So, in 2006, we were all gathered around Grandma's table, well all the adults were, and we went around the table reciting our thankfuls. When we got to Grandpa, he choked up and whispered "I'm thankful we got Jim here with us," as he clapped Jim on the back several times. (Clapping you on your back was Grandpa's way of showing he loved you.)
Since Grandpa never cried, we didn't push him to name two more thankfuls. We already had seen his heart.
Do you have a Thanksgiving tradition? Leave a comment and share. Or, consider linking up a post of your own about Thanksgiving and linking up at The Loft.
That was so sweet. We did have that custom when the kids were growing up, but we had them write something down on a piece of paper and we all shared it before we ate after we prayed. I was touched the year my son wrote "I'm so glad you adopted me."
ReplyDeletebetty
Aww, Betty, what a precious memory!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great custom, Jerralea, maybe we should do this every day before dinner. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory that you shared so well...
ReplyDeleteWe have done that same thing and it is always a blessing. Thanks for reminding me of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story!
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