It’s hard to believe another Thanksgiving has come and gone. This year I was fortunate to spend a day and night surrounded by close friends and incredible family members. The boyfriend and I spent Thanksgiving together – spending the morning and lunch time with his family, and then traveling to my parent’s house for a late afternoon dinner. We ate, drank and gave thanks for those who are with us today while reflecting on those who are no longer with us physically. Unfortunately each year the list seems to grow, but acknowledging our past loved ones helps us remember them, their spirits and the memories we made together.

This Thanksgiving we introduced some new foods, and new traditions. Most notably, my sister brought the most delicious sweet potato casserole, topped with marshmallows (who knew). And for new traditions, I helped my mom with the centerpieces this year. We went with simple white and red candles, a few branches of red berries, and round hurricanes with a small votive surrounded by chestnuts.

In case you think they are saying grace, they are not. They’re checking football scores.

It was a perfect day and night, reminding me of how fortunate I truly am for having a happy, hilarious, loving, connected family. Highlights from this year include having my sister accompanied by her husband for this first time since her wedding, grace delivered by my youngest cousin, 16 year old James, that brought half of my family to tears, and the post dinner sunset that so powerfully set along the horizon on Thanksgiving night.