Happy Thanksgiving!

Last year we had opportunity for our whole family to be together for Thanksgiving. It was a brief time together as the part of the family from New Orleans was only here for a couple of days, but it was a wonderful time for Linda and I. Linda prepared her trademark big Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday (rather than Thursday) to accommodate the schedules of both of our sons and their families. Jay, Michelle, Quint and Canon had Thanksgiving Dinner at the Slater home and then headed back for the Big Easy that afternoon. Benji, Leigh Anne, Will and Asher had to be in Louisville on Thursday as the Clanton family gathered last year at the home of Leigh Anne's sister, Mandy. Linda and I spent Thanksgiving Day, resting quietly at the house, eating turkey leftovers, and basking in the wonderful memory of having all of us together one more time. Here is a photo that we all had made early that Wednesday. It marked the first time the whole family had been photographed together since the summer of 2001 when Will was just a baby. Canon and Asher weren't here yet, and Linda's mom was still with us. This one year old photo also represents the last time we were all together as a family.

Next to my personal relationship with God, family is the one thing in my life for which I am most thankful.

The concept goes back as far as I can remember. Visits to our grandparent's homes were always special, but holidays were the most special time of all. Some of the memories are faded, as dad's parents both passed away in the 50's when I was pretty young. But the memories are there, nonetheless. More vivid memories remain of the holidays spent at the home of my mother's parents - first in Logan County, WV - then for a couple of years in Marmet, WV (near Charleston) - then "back home" in Logan. Granny prepared the "Turkey Bird" as she called it, with all the trimmings. It was a great feast, but to me, the most important part of the holiday was the time we spent with Mamaw and Papaw Stidham, Mom and Dad, my brothers, uncles and aunts, and all the cousins!

Bob and Irene and their three kids lived nearby to the grandparents and they were always there for every gathering. It wasn't quite as easy for us. Dad, being a bi-vocational pastor and evangelist, ran on a rather tight schedule. He worked 40 hours a week at International Nickel Co. in Huntington, pastored various churches over the years, and held as many as 17-19 revival meetings per year. Busy as he was, Thanksgiving and Christmas were times when everything else took second place so the family could be together. Only now do I realize how difficult that must have been for him.

It was even tougher for Dori and Vern, who lived in Houston, TX, and their kids. Due to the long distance (and travel was much more difficult in the days before interstate highways!) and Vern's career - first as a teacher - later as an insurance agent - they were not able to make the trip for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, you could bet your life they would make every effort to be there for one of the holidays. On the rare occasions when they couldn't make the trip home for holidays, they would always do a two week vacation home in the summer and the whole family always had that special time together. It was just that important to all of us. No big deal - it's just what we did - be together as a family on those special days.

The tradition continued with us after Linda and I were married. Thanksgiving Day was spent with Linda's Mom and Dad at their home in Pike County, KY for many years, and then later in Greenup, KY when they moved there after Burgess' retirement. Linda's sister and all of her brothers and their families would fill up that old house in Pike Co. The food was great. The fellowship was wonderful. And all of the little cousins had a wonderful time together. We ate Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bowling's house on Thursday and then again with my Mom and Dad at their house on Sunday.

When Christmas rolled around, a month later, it was the same thing. Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's and then up early on Christmas Day for the two hour drive to the Bowling's home. Often times, due to work schedules and ministry obligations it was back home the same day, but we "did Christmas" with the family as often as possible.

Family is important. It always has been in my life, and the older I get the more important it grows! That is why I treasure the photo on this page. Who knows when we will all be together again? Who knows who may be gone before we can get the next family portrait made?

In this season of Thanksgiving, Linda and I are most thankful for the folks you see in the photo above (and our brothers, sister, and their families who are not pictured here). All are a special blessing from God and we cherish them as such.

We wish you and your family (however large or small it may be) a very Happy Thanksgiving. May we be truly thankful for all that God has blessed us with - especially family!