Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, my absolute favorite holiday of the year. Maybe because I was born and raised in Massachusetts, the birthplace of the Thanksgiving celebration (no offense to Charles City, VA), the holiday holds special meaning. I love everything about this day, from rising early to prepare the bird (and a vegetarian Tofurkey for my immediate family), to that late night helping of pumpkin pie, and everything in between. I love the warm smells of delicious food, the sounds of laughter and the clinking of wine glasses, the feeling of fullness that comes with the day, both from the meal and the satisfaction that life is just as it should be. I love that this day is all about being with family and friends. I love going around the table before dinner and listening as each person says what they're thankful for (this is especially entertaining when very young children are present).

Up until several years ago, my sisters and I would traditionally go to my parents' house for dinner. My mother has always been an amazing hostess, and her dinner table was always gorgeous. Every dish that was served brought exclamations of delight. When my parents and sisters moved away, I felt lost until I started to develop my own traditions. Now I look forward to bringing out my silver and my fine china, setting a table with flowers and candles and sparkling glassware, and using recipes that have been handed down from mother to daughter through generations. I love the laziness of the late afternoon that may include a walk along the river, but always ends with the guys watching football (before they fall asleep), and the women settling in for a nice chat over a cup of something fragrant and hot, and a cozy fire.

It truly is a day that I feel thankful for all the blessings in my life; for my health and the health of my loved ones, for my job, for my writing, and for all the amazing women I've met as a result of writing. I’m profoundly thankful to the many fellow writers who shared with me their time, experience, and wisdom; they have no idea how much they’ve helped me. I hope someday I can be as helpful to another writer on their journey toward publication. So whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving Day (I know we have many visitors here who are not from the States), I wish you all joy and blessings, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day, and hope that you're able to share all your tomorrows with someone you love. Happy Thanksgiving!