For this week, I am posting my own reflection of Thanksgiving.

As I look out the window on this morning of Thanksgiving, I can’t help but remember those special moments from Thanksgiving past in South Texas.

I can still hear my grandmother calling out to us early Thanksgiving morning as she prepared the turkey.

I still recall the way she would always gather in the kitchen prepping for the big day.

I am not going to lie; my grandma never loved turkey.  But she did love all of us.

Besides growing up, family life was rough for all of us, and she just wanted my siblings and especially my mother, to have a beautiful day. It was always loud and crowded once my mother and my aunts came into the kitchen. At times, Thanksgiving would not start until close to dinner time. For some reason, I thought we would never eat dinner. Each year, one of our relatives would argue about the sides we would serve.   Then that prepping took more time. But for my Abuela (grandmother), it was all fine. She would always have a smile on her face, which made it all better. That is one of the things we all loved about her, especially my Grandfather. “It will all be fine, you will see.” He was right—it always was.

Years later, on each Thanksgiving, I reflect on my Thanksgiving of years past. Don’t get me wrong—I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, Jeremy, and our three beautiful children, Paul, Michael, and Consuelo, and not to mention my in-laws, whom we celebrate with here in Raleigh, NC.

However, I can’t help but miss my family and friends in South Texas and now all over Texas—especially since my Grandma Consuelo and Grandpa Francisco are now gone, along with other family and loved ones, whom we miss dearly.

Growing up, I would get overwhelmed and at times, annoyed by all the chaos. But as Thanksgiving Day is upon us, I can’t help but reflect on what I would not wish to be able to share in this day with all of them again. I know they are always with me, and I am grateful for my own family, mother, in-laws, godmother, siblings, nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends—but I will always cherish my Thanksgiving past in South Texas.