So…as the menu planning, recipe choosing, and ingredient shopping start to gain momentum, I must take pause to ask myself what to me is a very Worthy Thanksgiving.

First of all, it’s about knowing what makes sense on the entertaining front of what I can comfortably choose to do, as well as not to do.  That also means to make the critical decisions of what dishes stay, which dishes go, and which dishes get altered because of the different cuisine requirements of my family members. It’s about asking for help because I can’t do it all by myself and more importantly reflecting on if I think I could or should do it anymore!

It’s not about which is “better”… china vs. paper, plastic vs. crystal, sit down vs. buffet. It’s not about home vs. restaurant… I have done different versions at different times which satisfied my families evolving needs.  The win is choosing what works easily for us for that time and place.

As I contemplate what a very Worthy Thanksgiving means to me, I will definitely need to hear laughter, eat delicious food, have a positive conversation, hear beautiful music and share joyful memories of those who no longer are able to be with us. The atmosphere will be festive, the energy constructive and the hearts of my family will be filled with the knowledge of knowing how thankful I am for them in my life despite all the hills and valleys we all experience throughout the year.