Day 363 - November Gratitude, part 27

I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as mine was! I loved celebrating the day with new friends and cherishing new memories that were created last night. It was a very special evening, and it was so much fun cooking a big (but healthy) turkey dinner in the new kitchen!

This time of year always gets me thinking about family. When we're kids, our parents and siblings are our family. We think in very small terms about what it means to be "related." As we get older, we create new families. Sometimes those families are created with the person we fall in love with, (maybe) get married, and start our families.

In my case, not having any children of my own, I've learned to create a family with people who are too close to just be friends. Those people have become my chosen family. I love them as if they were my own biological brothers and sisters. Many of them shared good wishes for the holiday with me on Facebook. I cherish these relationships.

My parents are driving up from Sacramento tomorrow morning to spend a night with us. The house is now decorated for Christmas, and it looks great. I wasn't sure that we would be able to make our holiday decorations work in this new house, but my fears were unfounded. Everything looks great, and it was so much fun to decorate while listening to holiday music to get us into the spirit. This works so much better than getting into the Black Friday madness that has taken over our country. No thanks!

We were able to spend time with chosen family, and tomorrow we'll spend a day with biological family. They are equally special and equally loved. Thank YOU all for being part of my Spark family, which has become just as important to me. I'm incredibly blessed to have you all sharing this journey with me.

I am so thankful.