Thanksgiving

     I woke up to the smell of turkey roasting in the oven and laughter coming from the kitchen.  I lay in bed listening to the voices of the women in my family gathered together in our kitchen and smile.  Turning over I realize two of my cousins are sleeping next to me and know there are sleeping children in other beds of our home. Today is Thanksgiving and as is the tradition in our family the men are out hunting on our land, hoping to bag a deer.  Thanksgiving , is a day our family celebrates the end of Harvest and give thanks to God, for all our many blessings.
     I give my cousin Brenda a nudge, she pushes Marybeth and we start laughing.  We are not ready to get up yet, so we snuggle under the covers and talk about girl stuff.  Mom pops her head around the bedroom door and says, "Hey girls, time to get up and ready for breakfast, foods on the table".  The boy's are already in the dining room eating pancakes and bacon with maple syrup, they look up and my cousin Norris says,"Oh no, the girls are up"!  I give him a  light pinch as we walk into the kitchen to say good morning to everyone. I have 6 cousins and 6 nieces and nephews all around my age. After we all get done eating we head outside to begin our day.
     The day is cool, with a light dusting of snow on the ground, so we head to the barn.  After a game of hide and seek, we jump in the hay loft followed by"Red Rover,Red Rover". Our dogs Rex, Brownie, Rover and Step-Toe join in the fun. When we get tired, everyone settles down with their favorite barn cat in the hay loft and we play "I See Something". It seems like we just get started when we hear the farm trucks returning with our dad's from hunting. Hooray!! it must be time for Thanksgiving Dinner. We all run out of the barn, wash up at the pump and head into the house.
     All the wonderful smells of Thanksgiving fill us with joy at being together for this special meal.
We have two tables set up, one for children and one for adults. After everyone has been served, Dad blesses the food and the feast begins.  After dinner and before pie is served everyone says one thing they are thankful for. I know what I'm thankful for,  My Family!