Our usual Thanksgiving holiday is spent lounging around.
We don't set alarms on this holiday. We sleep in a little later than usual, make a pot of coffee, watch a little of the Macy's Day Parade, and leisurely cook the turkey and stuffing. We enjoy our Thanksgiving meal and then finish off our holiday with a nap from overstuffing ourselves. It's tradition!
My husband's family is from Oregon while my family is from Pennsylvania, so we've spent this holiday without extended family for nearly two decades. But, we've created our own holiday here. It's quiet and uneventful, but fulfilling.
But, this year was different. My husband called me from work a couple of days ago to say he discovered a new friend was alone for Thanksgiving this year. We quickly invited the friend to join us.
When the friend arrived at our house for Thanksgiving, he told us another friend of his was alone as well. A phone call was made only to discover the second friend was moments away from ordering a pizza for his Thanksgiving. He planned to eat alone. We quickly changed his plans.
As a result of inviting two more for Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful, warm time as we heard new stories around the dinner table.
We also discovered both men are unemployed and looking for work.
Together, for a moment, we forgot our problems and enjoyed a wonderful turkey, stuffing, potatoes, yams, and pumpkin pie.
After dinner, the guys played a round of pool and watched football. We enjoyed some coffee and many smiles.
Our naps came later in the day than normal, but it was worth it. No one should be alone for the holidays.
Our Thanksgivings are forever changed. Our table seats six, but we only fill four of those seats with me, my husband, and our two sons. From now on, we plan to have two more for dinner.
We have discovered the saying rings true, "The more, the merrier!"