Time to reconnect with family and friends

Published 10:26 pm Wednesday, November 21, 2007

By Staff
Thanksgiving Day is the traditional day of feasting, watching football and visiting with family and friends.
Turkeys are roasted and pies are baked. Though we try not to, we all feel stuffed as we eat our way through the cranberries, green bean casserole, rolls and butter and multiple choices for dessert.
For those who have undergone a divorce, the holidays can be much different from the joyful experience seen on the Hallmark channel specials.
Families that are split can totally alienate one of the members, who previously spent each holiday all together.
New spouses can cause problems and children are torn between which parent to be with for this traditional happy day.
Too often many have bitterness toward their ex-spouses and jealousy over new mates.
Many holidays I have encouraged my children to go to where their only living grandparents will be, as they may not be around much longer.
My parents are both dead, but my father-in-law is 90 and not in great health.
With news of cancer striking a brother-in-law, this year everyone will gather for the old fashion weekend of togetherness.
Some families will arrive on Wednesday night and the party will run through Sunday afternoon.
Friday there will be the Steffens' family tradition of making gingerbread houses with all the little children, including my own granddaughter.
With the event held on 65 acres of property, I am sure there will be hiking, playing touch football and maybe even hayrides.
For me, it will also be my Christmas with my four children.
With the worry of driving in bad weather in late December and the high price of plane tickets, two will not becoming in again this year.
I am pleased that my sister-in-law (and my ex) included me in this celebration of family.
My dear sister-in-law, Patty, has stayed a friend and told me I will always be her "sister-in-love."
After this weekend of entertaining two grandparents, their seven siblings and spouses, including one ex-spouse – me, 13 of their grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, I hope she still wants to even be in the family.
What a shame more families couldn't realize how much better it would be for all to forgive and forget the bad and messy things which come out in a divorce and instead remember the good things from when the love and marriage was fresh.
There will be moments of sadness I am sure as I ponder why life couldn't have stayed the same. I miss everyone terribly and feel very left out of my nieces and nephews lives.
Still I am going with the spirit of love and celebration. I plan to reconnect and get to know them, as it has been more than 10 years since I was called "aunt."
I wish all our readers joy this Thanksgiving.