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Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was truly special this year. It wasn't that we had a marvalous feast or a grand selection of deserts. Heck, we didn't even have turkey. We went to Dennys and most of us ordered pancakes.

There are a few times in your life when you have a revalation about something that makes you genuinely appreciative for the memories you've made and the individuals with whom you've been blessed to share them with. This Thanksgiving was one of those moments for me.

This was our first Thanksgiving living so far away from two of our five Children and the rest of our family. We hadn't seen them in four long months. Thankfully my mother in law made the nine hour trip and brought them with her for a holiday visit.

Every Thanksgiving prior to this one, we really took for granted that we were all able to be together. I've come to realize over the last four months, how foolish that really was. Children grow up. People move away. Sickness and jobs happen. So many things could have easily made this our 1st Thanksgiving that at least 1 person was unable to be here.

I looked around the room and was truly aware of how incredibly blessed we have been all these years and with a lump in my throat and an ache in my heart, dreaded the inevitable day when a chair will, for whatever reason, be empty. I longed to go back to when my daughter was in high school and we got to see my husband's son regularly.

I realized even with 2 small children, how quiet our normal had become, in comparison to just a few short months ago. I took in the laughter and their smiling faces. I happily watched while our two teenage boys caught up and jokingly teased one another. I listened as their Nana lovingly played with these two little girls who couldn't wait to show off how much they'd learned for her and to my daughter who seemed to have an entirely new life all together.

For a brief moment, time stood still and things felt like old times again. But the sad reality is that those days are gone. The memories of them all together will inevitably become more rare as the years pass, and things will never again be as they once were. Before we know it, they will have families of their own, accompanied by their own obligations and responsibilities.

This Thanksgiving I was truly thankful. Thankful for every holiday God has ever blessed us with as a family. Thankful for every single memory I've ever had the honor of being a part of with my children. Thankful for having a mother in law who thinks we are worth spending her holiday time off work, driving that far to visit us for a few days, only to then have to make the long trip back.

Sadly, it's quiet again. Everyone has gone home and we already miss them. As I sit here reflecting in the silence and thanking God for their safe travels, I am reminded of what really matters in this world and how relevant these precious moments with our children really are. Time marches on, as the old song goes. In the end, we'll all be left missing the noise.