Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on the things that we appreciate, the moments we carry with us, and a time to create new cherished moments with those we love. I’m happy to bring you today’s guest blogger who will share her personal Thanksgiving Tradition with us: Katherine Shorter.
Katherine is the owner and lead designer of Creating Awesomenessity! which is a DIY-based event planning company in Memphis, TN. Growing up in a military family, Katherine has a passion for supporting the military and their families and has become a volunteer for military support organizations such as Operation Shower and Adam’s Hope, in addition to her duties in the community which allow her to work with youth and teenagers.
Enjoy as she shares her Thanksgiving with you.
Thanksgiving Traditions
I grew up in a big military family…grandfather, dad, uncles, cousins and later, my brother. We had someone from every branch of the military represented in our family…32 relatives (at last count) serving across the Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force. My mom worked for the Federal Government for over 30 years and I grew up a Navy brat.
When we settled into our final home in 1993, we had moved to Memphis, TN and my mother worked for NSA Millington. She worked with service members who often found themselves alone during the holidays because they couldn’t get home to their families, due to distance or duties. My mom started a new tradition and we continued it for several years. My mom has always had a big heart, and coming from a big family, it was second nature for her to take people in. Every year for Thanksgiving, my mom would invite the “lonely” service members over to our home to eat and spend the day with us. It was always exciting to meet the military members she worked with and to have them spend a little time with us; she always made sure to send them back to their posts with 2-3 homemade sweet potato pies. One of my favorite memories was having everyone sitting together in the living room, watching “Saved.” I thought it was hilarious…they tolerated me 🙂
That tradition of giving back and providing for those who sacrifice and give their service for our country was more of a blessing for us and couldn’t begin to express the gratitude that we have for our military. It continued until mom retired and they reassigned the service units, but it was absolutely the most beautiful experience and the time of the year to which I looked forward more than any other.
That tradition always serves as a reminder and encouragement to not only be thankful for what I have, but to remember those who don’t have as much or are not with loved ones during the holiday season. We have more than enough love to go around, if we are willing to recognize that and to share it with others.
Katherine Shorter
Creating Awesomenessity!
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/CreatingAwesomenessity
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://creatingawesomenessity.com
To submit your tradition and/or recipe please email us at [email protected]