My daughter wanted to try out a new turkey recipe before Thanksgiving this year so we did a trial run the other day. It was just the turkey and potatoes without all the other sides. As I was drowning my turkey and potatoes in gravy, however, my mind flashed back to another special Thanksgiving 44 years ago.

This Thanksgiving took place in July. We had driven 6 hours to visit my Mom’s sister and her husband during the summer. I always loved visiting Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Richard. They had a good-cheer about them that was contagious. They handled life with a sense of humor and joyful acceptance of what is. Mom always seemed happiest when she was visiting her sister too. I know she missed her family, living so far away. This visit they decided why wait until November to make us all a Thanksgiving feast. They filled the table then with turkey, potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, stuffing, yams, rolls, and pie. It was a sight to behold.

I took my seat, filled my plate, poured the gravy, and looked around at the happy, laughing faces. I felt such a spirit of love in the room. There was so much peace there and so much happiness. There was so much gratitude. It was a pure, joyous moment. I wished I could feel that way everyday of my life. And I thought how wonderful life would be if everyone did too.

That memory remains in my heart to this day. It taught me something about happiness in this life. It showed me to be satisfied with what we have. It showed me to be thankful for the love we receive. It showed me to be grateful for all that God gives us here. And it showed me that life is best lived lightly, with laughter and good-cheer, and with a simple sense of joy. I hope that all of your days are like that. I hope that you spend each one of them with a heart full of love and a soul full of thankfulness. Then every day of your life will be Thanksgiving.