Unlike most Americans, I don't have a ton of direct relatives - my family consists of a grand total of two grandparents, four aunts and uncles, and a single blood cousin. We alternate years between having Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family in Kentucky, and my dad's side of the family in Arkansas. This year it was my mom's side of the family, which consists merely of my Nana coming over from Elizabethtown. My mom has two stepbrothers, but they live farther away so we don't see them much.
When we have Thanksgiving here in Lexington, it is very relaxed - two years ago the five of us plus my Nana just went to Golden Corral for our Thanksgiving meal. This year my mom actually cooked, and I was put in charge of the stuffing (she said I cut the onions too big, of course). We ate together, and then my Nana and I tried to comprehend football. That's about it.
Thanksgiving in Arkansas is quite a contrast. It will be much different when, next year, my brothers and I pile into the backseat for the 12 hour drive to Arkansas. My dad has a brother and a sister, and our families all meet at my dad's dad's little one-story house. We are the biggest of the family units, with 3 kids - my dad's sister has a daughter a bit older than me, and his brother has an adopted girl. It is a tradition for us all to hold candles and go around the table saying what we are thankful for, using our candle to then light the person next to us. It can be hectic, unlike the somewhat understated Thanksgiving at our house, but I enjoy both. It is nice balance to have each every other year.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.