There’s the feast.

And there’s the family. And friends.

And then there’s where it all collides. The Thanksgiving gathering.

What we celebrate today goes back to the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln set aside the 3rd Thursday as a “day of Thanksgiving,” which later was changed to the 4th Thursday. And it goes back much further than that…back to George Washington, also wanting to set aside a day of Thanksgiving to reflect on the provisions of the early days of settling this country. But for me, it’s less about the history of old, as it is the history of new. The story of this year…in our lives. And while I do my best to cultivate an attitude of gratitude on a daily and weekly basis, I appreciate the fact that we can slow down for the day, gather with those we love, and reflect together.

This week, we gather around the table. Be it rectangular and long with a Martha Stewart style centerpiece, or oval with just 8 chairs and paper plates and napkins, we gather.

We gather to eat. And we allow the flavors to collide and our stomachs to be full and satisfied.

Ranch Roasted Potatoes, then a few bites of turkey, following by Glazed Baby Carrots, Creamed Spinach and Pull-Apart Bread, then a few more bites of turkey. Then a pause before the pies. (Yes, plural. Better save room.)

We gather to share our gratitude. And we allow the stories and events from the year to collide with each other.

Health, love, survival of Sandy, or the drought, or the wildfires. Freedom, modern technology, a warm home, and grace.

We gather to be together. And we allow personalities and expectations, fears and hopes to collide. Often times into a beautiful family moment. Other times, into a beautiful mess.

Whatever collision occurs, we hold on to the gratitude. Some years we hold more tightly than others. But we hold on.

But it’s the intersection of feast and family where we find the things that we are most thankful for.

What’s our your gratitude list this year?

(Here are a few from mine gratitude list: husband getting home from work before 5, “Cautro” is growing well and not giving me too much trouble, boys have settled into their new school and our new life in Texas, family close by, 2 new nieces born this month, health and YOU and the opportunity to encourage you each and every day!)

Happy Thanksgiving from our family table to yours!

Disclosure: This post is part of a series, sponsored by HiddenValley.com. Opinions and thoughts my own. Photos from HiddenValley.com.