It's in the oven

The turkey is in and I'm taking a moment to enjoy a cup of coffee and write to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a curious thing - that turkey.  I love to cook and yet, I almost feel a bit anxious about this.  Perhaps it's because I've only cooked one other turkey in my life (and that was probably 20 years ago) or maybe it's the fact that it's not just my immediate family who will be here and I want to make sure that not only is it done, but edible.  I suppose it could be the fact that my brother in laws grandmother (who you know has cooked many a turkey in her day) will be here and I want to be impressive.  The funny part is - there is plenty of food (we have a ham coming too) and noone will really care, plus they'll all be polite about it so why worry.  I can't do much about it now.  It will either be done when I want it to be or when it wants to be.

There is a lesson in this turkey cooking - prep for family+ day today.  

Without getting on a soapbox this morning, let me just say simply say that I believe we were all created to live the life we've been given.  The chance to find our gifts and the choice to use them to the best of our abilities. Sometimes this part of the journey takes up the whole thing.  There are people who find and follow their passion early and there are others who take some time to find not only what they are passionate about, but that there is much to be grateful for.  

Some would say I've been passionate my whole life and I suppose they would be right, but not sure that I was always passionate about the best things for me (or perhaps those around me either).  The beauty is that as I've gotten older, my passion for life has not waned.  I have been greatly blessed and remind myself of that daily - most of the times unintentionally and other times I have to stop, take a moment and look around.  The point being, I am grateful.  

Grateful that I have a loving family, wonderful friends and a circle of people around me with whom I hope to leave a positive mark.  

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude ames sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Meoldy Beattie

So, go out, find something to be grateful for - enjoy the day with family and friends (new or old) - find your passion and see where it leads you, because...

In the end, it's not about who we impressed or how many turkeys we cooked (and were edible) 

To joy and good health~
Kelley