I am joining the "Giving Thanks" celebration. Be sure to Kelli's blog for more great posts or to participate. 
At the beginning of this season, I found it hard to get into the spirit. We had a difficult summer with the lost of my precious Mother and paternal Grandmother within three weeks of each other.
My mother adored the holidays and I miss her dearly during these "first" times without her. I have decided rather than avoid the holidays she loved, I will embrace them with the love and memories of our times together.
When Mother passed away, a dear cousin sent me a lovely autumn magnolia wreath. She knew I loved magnolias and I fell in love with it.
When Grandmother died three weeks later, a different cousin went to the trouble of having a matching wreath made in her memory. Both knew I had double front doors and had the wreaths arranged in the two different directions.
Each time I look through the door from inside or enter those doors, I am embraced with not only the love of those gone but of dear friends and family. May your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, love and precious memories.
