Giving thanks for love and friends

Thanksgiving has come and gone once again. This time, Thanksgiving was also Paul’s birthday, and that is always a little hard for me.

You see, Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday. And Paul’s last Thanksgiving was also his birthday – a combination that happens every few years. It means that each time a birthday Thanksgiving rolls around, I am more aware than normal that my favourite person isn’t here to celebrate my favourite holiday.

To mark Thanksgiving and Paul’s birthday, I enjoyed a simple meal at home, followed by a wee dram of Talisker and some birthday cake. I also partook in the annual Thanksgiving toast with my youngest sister at 8 pm (noon her time). It’s a tradition that began with Mum, when she and Daddy were at Royann’s for Thanksgiving (their traditional place for the meal), and we’ve continued it. Which means that I got to toast Thanksgiving and Paul with my family in America.

Of course, living in Scotland means Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday, so I rarely celebrate on the day. But I have hosted Thanksgiving for family, friends, and neighbours over the years, often on a Saturday when it’s most convenient for my guests. And this year was no different, celebrating yesterday with friends.

This is now my second time hosting Thanksgiving at Castle Ryan, and I chose to invite friends that I know through Paul to share the day with me: Three of Paul’s friends from university and the partner of one of them. And they are people I care for, who are almost like my Scottish “family”.

It was so wonderful to open my home to friends who knew Paul. Whilst he wasn’t the focus of the weekend, and indeed, we didn’t really speak of him, I knew that they knew him; that they loved him. And that brought me a bit of comfort; that made me feel that his spirit was alive.

So, when I think about Thanksgiving and what I’m thankful for this year, I am thankful for the love of my wonderful husband, and for the ongoing friendship and support of those who loved him and knew him.

Happy birthday, Paul. You were remembered and celebrated, as you always will be. I luv ya, luv. x