a thanksgiving, different from expected

I awake last Monday and don't crave coffee.  That's the first sign.

Scratchy throat. Heavy head. Dry cough. Fatigue. Overall achiness. Ya know, a cold. 

I keep hoping it will go away, but my colds generally linger more than a few days.  

By Thursday, Thanksgiving, I still have all the same annoying symptoms. I'm not really sick, but not exactly sick-free either.

Thanksgiving is possibly my favorite day of the year.  And as much as I want to go to my sister's, and hang out with my cousins and their kids, I don't want to risk making anyone else sick. 

So I stay home.

I'm not sad or mournful as I know I have much to be grateful for. Despite all that can be wrong among families, in my case, there is so much more that is right. I have two sisters, one niece, and four nephews. We are also very close with Abbey's (my brother-in-law's) family. Plus there is my mom and Abbey's mom. We are a large, boisterous, funny, smart, and interesting group — with seven little kids (the oldest is 10) who are always entertaining. 

But this year, instead of being with my family, I find myself googling, "What is the best way to freeze a fruit pie?" The apple pie I planned to bring (bought, not home-baked) is huge.

I also successfully ignore the many many emails I get from retailers luring me with sales of a million percent off. 

I watch a movie. 

Read some. 

See a great football game (with a sad ending) between KC (28) and Dallas (31). 

My sister thoughtfully sends my son home with the meal I missed. It includes turkey, my mom's famous stuffing that both my sisters make, string beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and my favorite, an entire 7-layer cake from Wall's. I could host my own Thanksgiving dinner with all the food she sends me.

My son  must feel sorry for me as he allows me to take a photo without argument. Just one more reason to be grateful today!