From My Family to Yours, Thankfully

Thanksgiving Day is here. Finally! 

Except despite the past few days, which seemed to drag by in a blur of turkey and gravy fantasies, it doesn't feel like it's been a year since I wrote this column as a newly hired Patch editor.

My mother always says time speeds up more and more the older you get, and I'm starting to see what she means. Suddenly, I have a teenage son who towers over me, whose voice dropped several octaves overnight. I have three other children following quickly in his growing-too-fast footsteps.

But thankfully, he hasn't gotten too old to call me Mommy, even if it's only when he's trying to sweet talk me into something.

Thankfully, my slightly younger 12-year-old son still hugs me tight at every opportunity, even if it's only when his friends—and siblings—aren't around.

Thankfully, my daughters are still young enough to put up with my hairbrained, off-the-cuff stories, and old enough to read our favorite picture books to me when I crumple into an exhausted heap at bedtime.

Thankfully, all four are happy, healthy and surrounded by an extended family who cares for and provides for them as much as I do.

Thankfully, their father and I, though we went our separate ways several years ago, can still work together to do what's best for them.

Thankfully, I have friends, old and new, who always seem to be there just when I need them most.

Thankfully, it's never too late for fresh starts, new loves and changing your mind about what you thought you wanted—and didn't want— in the future.

Thankfully, I have parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and a saint of a little sister who have supported me my entire life, and continue to support me, and whose love I couldn't imagine being without.

Thankfully, we will be together again today to celebrate each other, as we have done every year since my earliest childhood memory.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving, Lutz.

Thankfully,

Keli