Thankful.

We made Thanksgiving dinner at Dunedin on Tuesday. Chicken nuggets, barbecue sauce, green beans, white rice and blueberry pie : $30. Sitting around a table set with mismatched plates and cutlery and having the kids exclaim, "We're like a family!" : priceless.

Teaching your 8o year-old great aunts to play Wii bowling; waking up at 5 am to shop on Black Friday with your sister (who slept while you drove); enjoying two huge meals cooked with love by your mother; tasty dessert made by your sister; dominating your uncles and father at Wii; laughing until your face hurts at the antics of your aunts; being tackled into the wall by your uncle during an intense three-hour game of wally-ball; reading Newsweek with your cousin; asking Trivial Pursuit questions even when the game is over; being sincerely impressed with the answers Gram comes up with; wine, wine and good beer. There is no better way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Conversation at Saturday night Pizza Ranch buffet brought us all to the humbling realization at just how blessed our family was. While I have lost two amazing patriarchs, both of my grandfathers left behind legacy and admiration; all of my aunts and uncles have stayed married; all my cousins (so far) have attended college; I have just one uncle who is battling cancer, but with the utmost strength and support; we all speak to each other and love one another. We are a rare group. We are lucky and I am oh, so thankful.