A Thanksgiving Tradition

My first Thanksgiving with Z’s family was filled with the typical and beloved trappings of the holiday.  Food, wine and family convened and I was introduced to their traditional way of giving thanks and remembering the year gone by.  I was given a clean, crisp white napkin and a bag of pens.  ‘Draw something to represent your year’ said Honey, my mother-in-law (who happens to break the mold of a traditional mother-in-law… fun, loving and full of style, I could not be more thankful for her).  I am no artist and was apprehensive to put pen to cloth, however a long look over the napkins of the family, all filled to the brim with remembrances, and I was inspired to document this new phase of my life.  Our wedding, our honeymoon, new jobs, trips of a lifetime and loved ones to whom I’d had to say goodbye have since expressed themselves on my napkin.  I was so happy to add foodie-girl to an open corner this year and at the same time nostalgic and wistful, noting my beloved Grandmother in another corner.  I relish dissecting Z’s napkin, the progression of his life ‘BL’ – before Lindsey – and AL – after Lindsey – playing out before me.  It is a documentation of all that has passed, a tribute to all that we are thankful for, growing fuller, year after year.

Z’s napkin, filled the brim!

Our sweet Nick!

Remembering those I love