Thanksreceiving

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As I stand in my kitchen and prep for tomorrows festivities my eyes water, partly from the onions, partly from the emotions.  The ingredients making up tomorrows meal are endless, but the memories are infinite.  Thanksgiving has brought us together with family, friends, neighbors, and even people we've never met.

Ive scoured magazines and pulled recipes; Ive made lists and visited the grocery store a few many times.  The food will be delicious, our plates will be full, our tummies will be satisfied.  My heart will be explosive.

There is something extra melancholy about the holidays when you're away from home.  On one side Im missing my family and the reality of Thanksgiving around the table with family.  On the flip side Im embracing the time we will spend with friends, or better termed "framily"---those friends that are like family.  When we move ALL the time, we have to dig in, get to know people and get to love people right away because if we don't, we'll be gone (or they'll be gone) before we know it.

Some see this life as a curse, I see it as a blessing.  Im reminded of the many, many friends we've had the privilege of sharing the holidays.  I reminisce about the many tables we've sat around.   I love the people who CHOSE to share a holiday with us, people who aren't obligated to love us.  Our friends get to choose us (and us them), they don't have to be our friends, they can unfriend us...unlike family who are forced  obligated to  include us.  People have welcomed us in their homes, they've let us sleep in their guest rooms.  They've prepared meals and let us wash clothes, all to spend time with us.  We've welcomed people in our home; we want to share the gift of giving someone a memory.  I have recipes from friends and traditions we've adopted and coined our own throughout the years.

I know its a season of giving, but I also like to think of it as a time of receiving.  Im reminded of the wonderful gifts of friends and family we've received.  I want to not only give my time shopping, chopping, baking, and cleaning; I want to receive the hugs, laughs, and conversations.  Be ready to give this season, but also let your heart receive.

God gave us his most precious gift, we just have to receive it...Happy THANKSGIVING  (RECEIVING).

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.



With Love,

Team Garcia


John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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