The Bliss family enjoys going to the 6ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade and we have been doing it since my sister started taking her children twenty-five years ago! Of course, my husband and I had just gotten married so going with my sister's family gave us lots of practice. On a side note, we know all the best places to stop for a pee-pee break! This knowledge was a life-saver when we started bringing our children.
I still get excited after all this time to see the parade and hear the marching bands and my heart fills to almost-bursting size when I see the same excitement in my family's eyes as they watch and listen. It's such a wondrous time filled with blessings and hope and simple everyday magic that we sometimes take for granted. My children are older now and still ask if we're going and will Aunt Linda's work still have their awesome Thanksgiving spread. Her employer opened their building and allowed employees's family members to enjoy the parade and all the spoils that went with it, hot chocolate, donuts, bagels..you name it, it was there. And yes, we didn't need to hunt for a bathroom!
My eyes fill with tears and my heart fills with love knowing that I shared my love of holiday magic with my own family. I created what I needed...new souls to carry the tradition when my soul moves on and spending time with those you love made everyday magic more magical through the holidays. I can't wait for this year's parade with new little family members to add to the magic and one day my sister and I are going to volunteer and walk in the parade before we're too arthritic to do it!
I'm so grateful to have everyone I love happy and healthy and sitting at my dining room table. Nothing brings more joy into my heart than seeing everyone fed and happy. My husband worked hard re-finishing the dining room because he knew how important it was for me to have an extra special place to watch my family grow in size and love. Each year I vow to eat more everyday Tuesday night dinners in the dining room I love so much. And each year it grows more difficult as my children grow older and add more activities and events to their schedules but I cannot use that as an excuse to not make it happen. Nothing in this life is easy and the good stuff rarely ever is that's why it's so important at this time of year and really all the time to start each day with a 'greatful' and grateful heart!
God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!
XO
Sheila
