Once again it is Thanksgiving. We will celebrate and give thanks surrounded by family and friends. And we will eat. I wonder what the new friends around our table will think about our feast. Yes, we have the traditional turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes but other things might look strange.

Only two people will eat sweet potatoes so that dish is very small (less to throw away after). Only two of us like peas, so the dish is cereal-bowl size. Stuffing the same. Olives the same. Turkey the same (thus the double meat entree of ham). Salad? Pear and walnut...you guessed it, tiny bowl since nuts are not a favorite of some. Because we are celebrating a grand daughter's 21st birthday, dessert will be cake and ice cream and nothing made with pumpkin.

Seemingly dozens of little dishes to serve the palates of the family.

And we are thankful. Thankful that we have choices and abundance. Thankful that we can laugh together. Thankful that no one wonders if one relative will set another relative 'off.' Thankful for a day of eating and parade and football and reading and playing games.

And very, very aware that this is not the case with most of the world. We are privileged. And that's what I think about it.