A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

 For many years, we have been fortunate to go to my Aunt Dianne's house for Thanksgiving.  She does all the heavy lifting, cooking a feast and having enough chairs for 25-30 people to partake.  We show up; we drink; we talk and laugh; we eat; we tell stories; we eat some more; we let the kids clean up the mess; we go home.  It is awesome.  For us, it's a short day trip and we get to see nearly everyone in the family plus friends.

Thanks to COVID, this year had to be different and my Dad was determined we were spending Thanksgiving at the beach house.

So, I talked my mom into letting me pick up a smoked turkey from Lowe's and all the fixing from Salem Kitchen so we didn't have to spend all weekend cooking.  It worked out well...so well, that I think she's game to do the same for Christmas.  Thank goodness...

It ended up being a great couple of days, just Mom, Dad, me, David, Shelby and the nephews.  My brother opted for other plans.  It is, after all, a long trip drive for a day trip.

We did our best to social distance and the weather cooperated nicely so there was a lot of deck time.

Deck time usually means story telling and laughter.

Last Thanksgiving while we were gathered around at Dianne's, we would have never imagined what this Thanksgiving would be like.  It's different, but still...a lot to be thankful for.