We had a lovely Thanksgiving meal and time with family at our house this year. Britton’s mom and our niece and nephew stopped by for a few and my aunt’s family (her husband and son Tommy) flew in from out of town to join us for Thanksgiving dinner.

The Kauffmans

We had a sort of pot-luck and we were in charge of drinks. So in addition to egg nog, hot apple cider, milk, izzies, beer and wine, I made some great sangria! We enjoyed our drinks and listened to music and talked for a while before we ate.

Sangria

Then we all sat down at the table for a meal. Except one chair wasn’t filled. And that was the chair for my dad. We decided to honor him and his memory by placing a plate at his seat at the end of the table. We remembered him there for all the Thanksgivings past and it was nice to think of his spirit joining us for the meal. The holidays are the hardest after you lose someone because these holidays are about family, about coming together and enjoying our time on earth. So when someone is no longer there with you, it stings a little more.

The Empty Seat and lots of full ones too!

But my brother Justin did a great job taking over some of Dad’s traditional roles like peeling and mashing the potatoes. I think Dad would have approved! They were great. And Laura’s husband Rob trimmed the turkey and we all said grace. We really hardly ever say grace, but it’s such a nice tradition. To be thankful for the bounty of food, everything we are blessed to have and to be in the company of friends and family.

And this year, I think grace was even more poignant without my dad. It seems perhaps that we tend to under-appreciate what we have until it is gone. Death has a way of waking you up to your life and aligning your priorities. Live it while you can! And maybe, just maybe, after you go, you will leave a mark on the people in your life so profound that you never truly die. For me on this Thanksgiving, that seat may have been empty but my dad will always be here with me on Thanksgiving or any other day.

BONUS: I had never made sangria before, but I think I made a winning mix for Thanksgiving. So in case you are wondering….here is:

Cassie’s Secret Sangria Concoction -err- Recipe

Franzia Chillable Boxed Red Wine (or white if you prefer)
Some Pineapple Juice
Some Cranapple Juice Concentrate
Lots of fruit and squeezed juice (Orange, lemon, lime slices, pomegranate seeds, pineapple)
Chill overnight
When you are ready to serve, add champagne and/or seltzer water to make it fizzy. By using the juice concentrate you don’t water it down too much this way.
Add fruit garnishes like lemon, orange, lime and maraschino cherries.

And, finally, enjoy!