A Thankful Thanksgiving...

I couldn't decide what kind of pies to make--so I made a plethora of minis!

On Thanksgiving, whether we're together or not, my daughters and I watch "Pieces of April"--it's our tradition.  This is the second year without Kelly, but I can't help putting on the movie while my morning centers around baking; it's a good memory.

The movie came out in 2003--I was living in Connecticut, Erin lived in California, and Kelly lived in Colorado--and stars Katie Holms, Patricia Clarkson, Derek Luke, with Sean Hayes and Oliver Platt.  It centers around April, a rebellious daughter of a dysfunctional family from suburbia, who lives in the lower East side of Manhattan and wants to recreate Thanksgiving dinner for her family as amends and maybe the last dinner for her mother, who is dying of breast cancer.  It begins with her discovering her oven is broken and since her boyfriend has gone out to buy a suit (from a friend), she has to handle this disaster on her own, relying on neighbors in her building.

Now, you might be wonder why Erin and I still put ourselves through this after losing Kelly to breast cancer?  Well, like so much we do, it's tradition, and it defines us, but also makes us thankful for all the family and friends we have around us that has been by our side through this loss.  And, this movie does have it's funny, uplifting side that brings us back to why we all were drawn to it from the start. 

So, as I begin preparing our Thanksgiving meal, wishing I was with Erin and Kelly watching this, I am comforted by what this day means and the blessings I am thankful for.

• A strong, supportive family, especially my husband and daughters, who have always made me feel loved and important
• Beautiful, sweet grandchildren that continue to make me laugh and bring warmth to my heart
• Wonderful parents, who inspired me to pursue my dreams and ambitions
• Dear friends, I've known most of my life and the ones I have gotten to know through our travels, our children, and without question, this blogging world
• Health and strength to continue my life's journey

And, at 3:10 a.m. this morning, when our electricity went out...thank you PSE for getting it back on quickly so that this day of thanks is filled with the aromas of baking and being able to watch the movie that is so much a part of our tradition.

What are you thankful for...