This Is

While married to Ted, I was also married to his family.  My in-laws (or out-laws) have always accepted me and made me feel right at home.  

It dawned on me, in the sleeplessness that night, that this is the first year where the original Mattingly Five won't be spending Thanksgiving in Aunt Brenda's house.

This is the first year that the game won't be playing in the plant room where goodies are stacked on the table and soda abounds in the coolers.

This is the first year that chicken n' noodles won't be made with Nanny's recipe.

This is the first year that "Now Ted" won't be heard from Aunt Brenda every time he asks if he had done something wrong or if we were mad at him.

This year, Aunt Becky won't be sitting at the kitchen table or the rocker in the living room, watching everyone, and smiling.

This is the first year that cousins won't get together to poke fun at the other while loudly exclaiming their pride.  

This is the first year the house on Excelsior won't have laughter and wine shared within it's wall.

But...

This is also the first year that we get to see that there are open tables for us to eat at.

This is the first year of new stories, new memories, and new voices.

This is the year we can be truly thankful for friends that step up to that role of family.

This is the first year of healing.  

Of growth.

Even with all the chaos and loss,

This is the year we can be thankful for.