by Cynthia J. Carvajal

Created on: November 11, 2009   Last Updated: November 16, 2009

What I am thankful for.. I sit and ponder this question as my mind goes back to the days of my childhood. How many teachers have asked this same question? What were my answers? I cannot remember. Too many long years have gone by. But today, here and now.. I have much to be thankful for. As I think back to the days of our large family gatherings I can't help but smile. As far back as I can remember, whenever there was a holiday we would have a family get together. As a child I was the youngest of four. My brother was five years older than I and we have two older sisters who are fifteen and twenty years older than I. So you see, it was as if I had an extra pair of 'mothers' looking after me as I grew up. My sisters who are so different as night and day, both had a huge impact on my childhood. Not to mention my brother also known as 'the one mom and dad would tell to go get you!' As I grew up, so our family grew also. In total there were fourteen grandchildren. It was fun getting together with all my family, all those years.

Many things have changed since that time. Family members have passed over. My own son, number two out of four sons.. has passed over, just weeks before my mom's 100th Halloween birthday. And yet I DO feel blessed. I have MUCH to be thankful for. The memories of all those years together have taught me what family is really all about. Halloween parties for mom. Has there ever been a year I didn't dress for Halloween? I think not. Thanksgiving and Christmas at mom and dad's with everyone together, cousins laughing, drinking and playing music and making videos. Mom laying on the floor dressed in red as we sang 'Grandma got run over by a Reindeer!'. Then there were the New Year's Eve parties. If we weren't having one at our house we were always going to one somewhere. I can remember getting dressed in my long evening gown to go out for New Year's, taking the kids to mom's and smelling those wonderful tamales cooking while she ran around snapping our pictures! And Easter's at the park, or my sister's house. The crazy fun Easter egg hunts she would put on for the kids, and the especially fun hunts just for the adults. On 4th of July we would have a big barbecue at mom and dad's, with an extra celebration for my brother who's birthday is on the 5th. Through it all, much laughter and happy memories were made. Family. For this I am thankful.

And now, today in 2009, there are no more big family gatherings. We are spread far apart now, living in four different states. Familys have grown and gone there own way.. but the memories are all still there. Wherever I am for the holidays.. and whoever I am with.. we always have plenty to reminisce with lots of happy times. We ponder the days ahead.. what do they bring? New memories to add to the old.. Whatever it is.. I am thankful.

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