Thanksgiving

I guess most people have to choose which house they're going to visit for thanksgiving. I never had to make that choice since my inlaws are in Ethiopia and Kenya and India. We usually go to "Grampa's" farm - Grampa is the retired pastor from the church I grew up in...

Last year, though, my brother invited us and Mom to his house. His inlaws were visiting as well, which led to the expected awkward silences and forced smiles (nobody's to blame for that, it's just the way it is).

So, we invited Mom to come with us to Grampa's this year - mostly to avoid those awkward moments... but when I stop to think about it, I guess that's part of what the holiday encompasses.

Hopefully, I will get to the point where I can truly be thankful that I do have those odd, loose connections with others - sometimes I think I'd be more thankful without them, but I'd only be kidding myself.