Don't let this picture change

Norman Rockwell's Freedom From Want (affiliate link)

I absolutely LOVE this print (affiliate link)  from Norman Rockwell.  Part of it for me is because the woman serving the turkey looks exactly like my great grandma on my dad's side whom we lived with when I was in kindergarten right down to the apron.  As I typed that, I can still feel the soft cotton of her apron as I would try to wear it and it fit me like a gown.  This picture embodies everything Thanksgiving should be.  All generations of family coming together to enjoy a good meal and spend time with people they don't see often.  Laughing, anticipating and making memories.  If you're having a "Friendsgiving," invite the elderly couple down the street whose kids aren't coming to town this year because of the storm so they're not stuck trying to find an open restaurant or ordering pizza.  Multi-generation tables are the best.  Listen to their stories...they won't always be here to teach their lessons.

Don't let this picture change.  

Grab a basket and require that anyone with a cell phone drops it in before they're allowed to grab a plate and you can't touch them again for 30 minutes after the meal or dessert.  The first two people to grab for their phones have to do the dishes...ALL OF 'EM!  

Get back to family basics.  Bring board games.  Go through Black Friday ads whether you're going out with the masses.  (Or pointing and laughing at them on TV when the news updates traffic and mall parking lots from the comfort of your warm home with your wrapped presents.)  Bring old photos or raid grandma's picture drawer to see holidays past.  Actual pictures...not swiping through your phone.  If Grandma starts talking about not putting up a tree this year, everybody pitch in and set it up and decorate it as a family.

There are so many things you can do to make this Thanksgiving about what it is supposed to be about...being thankful and spending time with people you love.

Just in case I haven't said it recently...I'm thankful for all of you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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