Families. They’re complicated. Now, maybe yours isn’t, but mine? Well, it’s not certainly not simple.
Thanksgiving is a time for family togetherness, but I’ve heard countless stories this week about divided families. Families who won’t spend the holiday together because not everyone gets along. What a shame, really, to not be able to put aside our differences for a few hours to celebrate a day of thankfulness. Some wounds are too deep, I guess, to be able to do this – and a part of me gets that. But the other part of me wants to knock some sense into the stubborn minds of folks.
Sure, families hurt each other. Deeply. We always seem to hurt the ones who love us, no matter how hard we try not to. Inevitably, every family will be faced with a circumstance or situation that can divide them. This Thanksgiving, I hope that you are with your family (if you are physically able to be). I hope that you’re around moms, dads, step-moms, step-dads, children, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Because I am certain that whatever differences you may have at this moment, wouldn’t matter at all if you never had the opportunity to be with them again.
Happy early Thanksgiving, everyone.
thetightropeblog.com 
Mandi, you're perhaps just as familiar with my own family as I am myself. Divided. Screwed up. Both mom and dad have had three spouses each. Hell, MY mom's spouse No. 2 is currently married to YOUR mom, last I heard. Although it's hard to be sure, without a scorecard.But I'm so inCREDibly homesick tonight, I can barely stand it. Sitting here in the hotel bar in Johannesburg, I've broken into tears twice already this evening. I'd give my left arm to be in Anderson, S.C. with my dad's family on Thursday.Best wishes to Jack, Linda, Chunk and all the rest of your folks. Please eat an extra piece of turkey for me.And take my advice: Never EVER go 8,000 miles from home during the holidays.Have a good one, Mandi. Thanks for the post tonight. And please enjoy your Turkey day.