We’ll gather together around the farmhouse table.
Family.
Eating.
Laughing.
Remembering.
You see two of us mama’s walk through this holiday with a deep ache.
We remember Thanksgiving’s gone by.
Days when we were all together.
The table full.
Now there are empty spaces.
Cousins gone within 2 years of each other.
Place settings where no one will ever sit.
The order of life interrupted and grief our companion.
These children won’t share in our meal.
Our sons laughter will not ring throughout this farmhouse.
Their sounds stilled in this life.
Yet, we both are learning to walk in this new path.
Sharing our grief.
Looking to heaven.
Sharing our memories.
Walking hand in hand with the One who guides our steps.
While our two boys have been gone we’ve added 3 new family members.
Grand babies.
2 of those 3 will gather with us around the table.
We’ll make new memories and break bread.
We’ll gather together.
This farmhouse house will echo with the generations gone before and the new memories made.
We’ll step into the grief.
We’ll step into the joy.
We’ll embrace the change.
Pies are ready.
The turkey in the oven.
We’ll have scrambled eggs, bacon, fried potatoes and pumpkin roll for breakfast.
It will be a 2 or 3 coffee pot morning.
These holidays can be triggers for many.
The ache and longing usurping the joy.
Grief takes time.
Effort.
Work.
Practice gratitude.
Look for the joy.
Be patient.
The heart is tender and fragile.
Yet strong.
May you choose to walk today hand in hand with a God who knows you and loves you.
May your Thanksgiving truly be about giving thanks.
We’re taking our grief and living.
We’ll gather together.
We’ll step into the love and grace given.
We are held.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Davis Farm.
