With Gratitude

I have been so blessed to be part of a very close, loving family. Growing up getting to spend time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and of course my sisters made it possible to have experiences that have made me the person I am today.

Giving back was something I was taught and practiced from a very early age, and one of our family traditions was when we saw someone who looked like they needed a good meal we would feed them.

This Thanksgiving was one I remember more than most - we saw these two hitchhikers and invited them back to my grandparents home for Thanksgiving dinner. My cousin Kate and I were particularly excited - we thought they were really cute and I think we both had crushes on them.

Having them at our Thanksgiving table and hearing their stories was really special, and it was one of the many experiences that taught me not to judge people but to learn and listen.  Hoping these two made it to where they wanted to go and are now celebrating Thanksgiving with their own families.