BY KCY

The Turkey’s been eaten. The cranberry sauce uneaten (who eats that anyway?). The house is still and quiet.

Thanksgiving is over. And I’m both happy and sad.

The only thing to do now is to clean. And who wants to clean (my husband would argue that I would!)?

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, there were shopping lists to be made, grocery store lines to wait in, new recipes to be attempted, family members to be wrangled, and plans to be made. There was an excitement and anticipation which filled the air. The “Happy Thanksgivings” and “Have a nice weekend” said on that Wednesday when leaving work.

And then the day. Perhaps you woke up late at 7:30 in the morning like me, thankful your kids let you sleep in an extra hour that Thanksgiving Day. Perhaps you watched that famous parade mentioned earlier. Perhaps you were one of the many who decided to burn those extra calories you intended to eat with a local Turkey trot or trip to the gym (yes, many of them are still open Thanksgiving Day!). Whatever it was you decided to do, the anticipation and excitement of family to come remained.

Even though I hosted Thanksgiving at my home this year, I’m actually pretty lucky, because I have one of those amazing families who pitch in. Pies brought by cousins, turkey and sides cooked by mom, appetizers and whatever else needed brought by other family members. So, I was able to go to the gym this morning, because I also have one of those amazing husbands who will watch the kids when I need time to myself.

Our empty house became a bustling throughway of activity at 4 PM. Cousins running through the living room, football blaring from the television, warm smells wafting through the house from the kitchen, chatter filling the air.

When it came time to eat, we did something we’ve never really done before (not that I can remember, anyway). We went around and said what we were thankful for. And almost every single one of us said “family.” I guess you’re supposed to say that on Thanksgiving, but looking around at all of the smiling faces, I actually think most of us meant it. That’s pretty cool.

We texted pictures to and facetimed family who couldn’t make it. Some of us sat in front of the television, watching football, while we ate, while others chatted at the tables. We used paper plates, plastic utensils and those red SOLO cups you see at college parties. No one seemed to mind. Because we were together.

When the last piece of pie was eaten, and the last family member said their good-byes, I closed the door, sat on the couch, and closed my eyes.

I thought about the Thanksgivings pasts. I remembered the dinners at Paw Paw’s house. She always cooked everything. Today, we’d had more of a potluck. We always ate on her nice plates. Today, we’d used paper plates and plastic utensils. And even though, this year (and honestly, most likely, in years to come), we’d had a haphazard Thanksgiving, there was still one thing in common: family spending time together.

I’m sad because I miss the family members who are gone, but I’m happy because I still get to spend time with the family who is here. This is Thanksgiving to me.