On Sunday, a new tradition was launched; monthly family potluck dinners at our house. Each month will have a different theme. An Italian feast was first, a soup & stew dinner is next.  March will be an Irish celebration and, well, you get the idea.

It’s been quite a while since both of our children lived nearby.  We are enjoying that very much, as well as having both of our grandchildren close, too. While we all see each other during the month (grandparents are very willling babysitters!) we aren’t often ALL together.

It is my sincere hope that this monthly gathering keeps family traditions strong, provides an open forum for interesting conversation, and strengthens those ties that bind, as the very young cousins hopefully grow up to also be friends.

Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to gather as a family.

We moved from New Jersey in 1989.  As many couples do, we transferred for my husband’s job, seeing a better chance here in Ohio to create a good future for our family.

Our mothers were not so enthusiastic.  They rarely missed an opportunity to let us know how hard it was to have us and our children so far away.  I can’t tell you how many times we were asked when we were moving back!  My Mom even went so far as to tell me that now she understood how much pain she had given her mother when she and my dad moved to the US from Germany.  Oy.

I vowed I would never be that Mom.  I think my kids would agree that when they each made life decisions that took them far away, I was supportive of their choices.  But, now that they have moved back, I plan to enjoy every moment!  Who knows what the future may bring?  All I know is that here and now, they and their families are close by. For that, I am filled with gratitude.

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What are you thankful for?

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