Thanksgiving
When I was little, my family spent Thanksgiving with my mom's lifelong friend, Eileen, and her family. They were 'aunt and uncle' to us, and their children were my 'cousins'. I adored Thanksgiving. When I think back now, the memory feels warm, smells like amazing food, and the day was one of love and comfort. The evening before, Dad would make his pies. Dad was a baker, gifted with sugar, and was known in our circles as the person to ask to bring desserts. He'd do his handywork, and that would feed the crowd. On Thanksgiving, we'd watch the parade religiously, as my parents were full blooded New Yorkers. We'd pack up, and drive south about 90 minutes to my aunt's, and pile out. My uncle would always come out to meet us in the drive way, so happy to see us arrive. He and Dad were great friends and it was one of those amazing blessings where everyone in the crew authentically loved each other and was thrilled to see each other. My aunt w