2010 Thanksgiving ~ Linda K. Milam

Thanksgiving 2010 

Apple Pie, Pumpkin Ginger Bars
and Raspberry Crumble Bars!

 

For 40 years I celebrated most Thanksgivings in a home of my own...Not under the roof of my parents or siblings, but in my own home.  Sometimes we were at a Mom’s house, now gone to heaven, but after that happened mostly in our home.  Sometimes at a sister’s house, thank you Edie and Danny for always having your door open, but always as a single Mom! I am so thankful for all those good times. 

Then later as my girls married Lita to Jim and Jennifer to Walter; expanding their family with beautiful children, the tradition moved to Grandma’s house where the Thanksgiving Day has been observed for the last 18 years. They came first with Jacob, now 17, and then Jared now 15 . . . then Jordyn 13, Sydney 11, Aislinn 9, Eryn 8, Avery 6, and Aubree 2.  What a blessed Grandma I am. 

This year God gave me a special unplanned for, unasked for blessing; a husband, Tom, a Preacher of the Gospel, who gave me a wonderful new daughter Nina and her husband Kenneth and then one more precious granddaughter, Kandi 20!  God has truly blessed me, and I am so thankful for each and every one of my family members.  



But with all this family, the Thanksgiving Day is different this year!  There won’t be any little feet in my kitchen this year as my children and their families begin a NEW tradition in their homes.  No Breakfast Casserole with Aislinn, no Green Bean Casserole with Avery - - no Grandma what can I have right now I’m starving from Jared or Jacob.  No, “hold me” from Aubree.  Or “we’re here Grandma,” From Jordyn, Sydney or Eryn.  They are all fixing Thanksgiving Dinner for their own families in their own homes and Tom and I will be going to their homes to visit them. 

But Grandma could not resist, I still have that 22 lb turkey ready to go in the oven, as soon as the pies, Pumpkin Ginger Bars, Raspberry Bars, and all the scrumptious desserts are finished!  I’ll have the traditional dressing and gravy, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, Avery’s Green Bean Casserole (Grandma will be sure and “follow” the Avery recipe).  We’ll have the biscuits, deviled eggs, and all the little side dishes each family member tells me, “don’t forget to fix. . .” on the table.  I promise NOT to burn the biscuits and forget to put out the “cranberry sauce”, which no one ever ate; until this year because my husband just loves it!

And although, Tom and I will sit down to our table alone; we have so much to be Thankful for.  God has been truly good to this couple.  He gave us each other when we thought we would finish out our service to Him and our lives alone.  He continues to give us good health and keep us “in place” as my husband continually prays and asks Him to do.  We are thankful for the things we call our own; our home here in FL with all the “things” that are in it and our home in WV with all the "things" that are in it.  How blessed we are!  It isn’t always easy but that helps to keep us thankful. 

We are thankful for the days and nights when our bones and muscles begin to feel their age, to the sorrow in our hearts for the circumstances and things that hurt our loved ones.  We are still thankful we are here today to celebrate in our home the day Americans set aside to praise the Lord for all the goodness in our lives.

We have lost loved ones this year, both in family and dear friends.  We are so thankful that each one of them affected our lives in some way.  We are thankful that they are in heaven and are enjoying their very first Thanksgiving Day with the Lord. We are even thankful for the times when we were brought low by the devils attack; it kept us praying and on our knees and yes, the Lord brought us up.  We are thankful for the lessons learned during those times, and thankful we have a God we can turn to, to lift us up and carry our burdens!  We are thankful that God uses us in His service and for the forty-three souls that we have seen saved in the last seven months, and the countless numbers that covered the altars with their tears of repentance and love for the Lord; Trusting Him to meet their needs and to save their loved ones souls!

How truly blessed we are.  May I never forget the sweet blessings God has bestowed on me and now my husband.  We are very happy and look forward to a full, rich, and new life in Christ, together.

Psalms 115:15  Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

Tom and Linda Milam

Thanksgiving 2010