Commentary By Danielle Pelkey

The North Jefferson News



Tomorrow is Thanksgiving — what a fantastic time to slow down and look at what all we have to be thankful for.

I could sit at my desk for hours just thanking the Lord for all of the blessings that He has put in my life.

Some of the best blessings are given to us in the form of family and friends. Without my family and friends, I would be one miserable person. A lot of people take their family for granted because they are so close to them, but you can ask anyone who doesn’t have a family to celebrate with tomorrow and they would let you know how blessed you are to be surrounded by those who love you.

My family is an ever growing pot of love. We always end up with an outsider at our table for Thanksgiving and Christmas. My husband and I can’t stand the thought of one of our friends being alone on these special days, so if we know that you don’t have a place to go, we will drag you all over creation with us.

I can remember one Christmas that our friend, Doytch, came to our family get-together. No one knew he was going be there until we opened the door to come in. When it got time to hand out presents, he had more than I did. It’s amazing how families just love those who love them.

Thanksgiving is always focused around God, family, food and football. I don’t really care about the football because none of my favorite teams are ever playing, but the food and family are enough to draw me back in every year.

Over the last two years, I haven’t been the Betty Crocker that I used to be. I used to cook for two days ahead of all holidays and overdid everything.

I plan on getting back into the swing of things this year. I at least want my house to smell like baked apple pie or pecan pie throughout the holidays.

I do remember why I stopped doing all of the cooking — the price of groceries.

I went this weekend and bought stuff to make about three side dishes and three desserts and it cost me $90. I think the women who cook all of the time, namely my mom and all moms throughout America, should be given a raise for all the money, time and effort that they put into these great holiday gatherings.

I know it’s expensive, but I don’t want Raygan ever thinking, “I wish my mom would cook more often for us.” I enjoy cooking and I’m making the extra effort to do more of it this holiday.

So, bring on the extra people at the Thanksgiving table — we have food enough to go around.

We will have at least two extra members of the family this year that aren’t kin to us, and we couldn’t be happier. If anyone else in our area doesn’t have a family to get with, just come on over to the house, pull up a chair and fold your hands in the Thanksgiving prayer with us.

We love this time of year and as a family, I look forward to growing closer and closer together in the next few months.

Keep the focus around thanking God and family and you, too, will have a wonderful holiday season.