Bountiful

Thanksgiving & Christmas is almost upon us once again.

My #1 time of the year for laying out some impressive feasts.

I always invite as many people as possible; we truly could not eat all the food we make.

That isnt the only reason of course...

I love having those near & dear with us on the holidays.

My oldest daughter now even brings food;

Hubby and I cook everything together.

We seem to add a couple of people each year now.

This year for Thanksgiving, I will have all of my children here, plus,

my stepdaughter & her boyfriend, my nephew, plus whoever else decides to show up.

I am truly blessed.

Most of the conflicts we've all endured with extended new families,

exes not respecting boundaries, and our own insecurites has been ironed out.

Alas, all of my siblings live far away, so does my dad.

But, my siblings all live pretty near each other, so they spend the holidays together.

I dearly miss my niece & nephews though.

You can't have everything.

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I know there are many people for which the holidays are a source of great pain & lonlieness.

There are many who are too poor to afford a wonderful holiday meal.

Ive been there.

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There are many organizations, churches, charities that help alleviate that.

Please, if you can donate goods, money, time, every little bit counts.

Many supermarkets offer free turkey's if you spend so much money.

Consider donating it if you can.

Many churches put together food baskets for needy families.

Soup kitchens always need volunteers.

Now is the time to think about this, and plan.

If your childs' school doesnt do a pre-holiday dinner, offer to help organize one.

Many children won't be having a feast this holiday.

My rant for the day...