For years, I’ve maintained that Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and football (in that order). My wife and daughter would add parades to that list. I’m not sure I would disagree, so long as I’m free to do other stuff and the parade is more of a background item. Besides, I tell them, “parade” doesn’t start with an F — so it doesn’t work for me . . .

Really, which sounds better: The 3 F’s of Thanksgiving, or 3 F’s and a P?

Thanksgiving is foremost about family, and is a time of gathering. It’s an opportunity to rekindle familial relationships that time and distance may impair. It’s a time to celebrate the good in our parents, siblings, and children.  It’s a time to remember and to be grateful for all those blessing we do enjoy.

All The Grandkids

I had the pleasure of photographing one such gathering of family on Thanksgiving morning.  They hadn’t all been together for many years and, to celebrate their reunion, they invited me to spend some time with them and provide images to cement memories.  I was happy to help.

They were a large, diversified group: some who would rather soothe a rattle snake than to pose before a camera.  I assured them that I feel the same way; however, that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun in the process.  And, so, we did.

Fun . . . Thanksgiving is all about Family, Food, Football, Fun, and sometimes Parades.  Hey, that’s kinda like the vowels: A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y . . .

The images interspersed in this post are from my time with this kind, friendly family, and I thank them for entrusting me to help preserve their memories.

Hope yours was a happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers,
-Mike.