A few weeks ago, when I was scheduling posts, I scheduled a very generic “Happy Thanksgiving” post. Ever since then, it bothered me that I did not say more. The Lord knows, we have had a year to be thankful for. Even though we have our challenges just like everybody else, we are so very blessed.

With almost every passing day since I scheduled that post, I thought to myself that I really needed to say more. A few times I started to write something, but then got called away to do something else.

Last night, once again as I tried to sleep, thoughts were running through my head telling me what I should write. I almost got up at 3 am to turn on my computer and tart writing, but I did not think Gavin would think too kindly of my need to “work” at that time of night.

Someone once told me that if you have a job that you love you will never work a day in your life.

Well, that’s my job! Yes, there are times when I get a little stressed out because I am behind on editing. (In fact, I should be editing right this minute, so please forgive me if you’re waiting on your photos, I am sorry, but I really want to put my thoughts down here).

In the past week, I have had the pleasure of doing the following:

A family photoshoot “in the box”

A beautiful wedding

A class of 2025 senior photoshoot

An Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Two family photoshoots at the train depot

A family who is celebrating 20 years of their family business

A surprise engagement during that family shoot (!)

A grandma’s two precious granddaughters who are visiting for the holiday

After each of these days were over, on the way home, I am sure my husband thought I was a broken record because I kept talking about how blessed we are, and how amazing it was to be invited to get those photos for those folks.

In the past week, I was also contacted by a mother with cancer who is preparing for perhaps her last holiday season with her children. She has some plans to capture some very special moments before it is too late. And my friend who lost her dad last year at about this time wants me to help her make a memorial book of him for her loved ones for Christmas.

So it is not lost on me that there are times when we don’t take a photo and regret it later. In fact, I have tears streaming down my face right now.

The holidays are all about family traditions and memories. It helps if there are photos, but there are also tastes and smells that bring me right back.

Last night I made an Italian dish for dinner. This does not happen often, because Gavin usually cooks dinner. It was so good, and the house still smells like pesto and tomato sauce. It brings back so many memories of visiting my Grandma Millie in the Bronx. Today, Thanksgiving smells are going to take over. Even though we will be going to my parents’ for dinner tomorrow, we are making our own favorite Thanksgiving dishes, turkey, potatoes, apple pie and stuffing. I should also add that we are not stuffing the stuffing inside the bird because we just got a turkey tenderloin. But my whole life it was always called stuffing even if it was not actually stuffed into the bird. But the point is, I am so looking forward to the smells and tastes. I really only eat certain things this time of the year, so they can be a special part of the memories. If we ate these things every day, they would not bring back the rush of memories that they do because they are reserved for this season for a reason.

These core memories are why there are so many people who put up their Christmas tree right after Halloween. They want to enjoy it longer. I can relate. We don’t have a tree up yet, and we might not even get one up because work is so crazy for us this time of year. But we still love seeing everyone else’s tree and all the ornaments that memorialize significant family traditions and events.

So let me begin to sign off by saying “THANK YOU” to everyone who allowed me to be a part of your special moments and milestones this past year, and to those of you who have made our photoshoots part of your core memories, part of your traditions.

My heart is full!

And whatever you are doing, whether you  are struggling with challenges, felon extra blessed or a combination of both, I hope you’ll take the time to experience the reason for the season, and all of the sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feels that come with it.

Happy Thanksgiving!