Thanksgiving Table Thoughts
August 22, 2026
Thanksgiving Table Thoughts
When people say “you can’t afford another child” think about how we adjust our lifestyles to what we want – and consider your Thanksgiving table in 30 years. I overheard a lady saying that at work. She was laughing, in conversation with another woman, just talking as they watched their children do gymnastics. I didn’t hear the whole conversation, just a few lines in passing as they followed toddlers looking at candy behind glass.
That sent me into memories.
Grandma Jeanette’s house a few days after my husband and I were married. So many people! I met cousins, aunts, uncles, family friends, great-aunts, second cousins, all connected by the love of Jim and Jeanette. The history of their family is bound by love. They grew up on that farm. I heard stories of moving around while Grandpa was in the military, of pigs and milking the family cow before dawn to get ready for school, of Grandpa’s amazing citrus trees, of five girls and two boys growing up. They laughed with each other as everyone seemed to just come, set a spell, eat a little, chat a little, take a plate to go and head home. It made me feel at home. My siblings have been doing a “Family Thanksgiving” since the year after Louis and I got married. We proposed a separate date that worked for all the service industry workers (at the time) and we moved it around so as many of us siblings and families could come together for a family meal. Then the memories of Joanne’s table for Christmases, and Thanksgivings after Grandma Jeanette went to heaven, every place we gathered as the Tart family, there was that laughter, joy, smiles, and the celebration of just being together. Family.
Today, at our home, there was the mirror of these gatherings in my heart. Kimberly officially graduated with her AA & from high school. She didn’t want to walk, so no cap-and-gown event. She didn’t want a party. She just wanted grilled steak, mashed potatoes, peas, and tres leches.
Rebeccah surprised us and came over from Pensacola. Christina and Dylan came south after work. Louis reset our living area so the table has all the leaves (went from 4×6 feet to 4×10 feet) and set up his stadium seating arrangement. Grandma Joanne come bringing yummy veggies. Louis grilled steak. We made mashed potatoes, yeast rolls, cooked peas, and Grandma’s corn on the cob. We had laughter, games, food, and celebrated our third high school graduate! Louis blessed the food and Laud said “thank you, Amen!” Christina’s card dared Kimberly to make a speech (if you know, you know) and who can say no to a dare from their oldest sibling? Louis pulled out the tres leches (caramel and chocolate tres leches, no less!). Our family celebrations always include food. (Actually, Louis’ grilled steak might have been the star of the show for some, so our celebrations often center on food.)
When I watched a particularly crazy trading incident while playing Settlers of Cataan, it brought that comment from the lady in the gym into the front of my memory and I went back in time to memories at Grandma Jeanette’s, around Mom’s table, and then a future image of laughter and smiles as I’m slowly seeing my family grow.
This is what I want my Thanksgiving Table to look like. Happiness. Smiles, teasing, laughter, celebration, I am so very thankful for this amazing blessed life God has given me. I’m so thankful for the honor of so much laughter, so much life, and so many smiles around our table.
I never consciously thought, “I want to have lots of kiddos so I have a full Thanksgiving table” as a youth, newlywed, or even as a mother. From the time I was very young, I have always wanted a “full house,” though I left what that meant up to God. God has blessed Louis and I with a full house. Years have been filled with family – parents, siblings, children, nephews, nieces, and friends. I watch this “table” grow and think of the fact that I now have so many (I think, crazy!) numbers: four adults, three college graduates, two teenagers, one college attendee, and the “littles” are the half who cannot drive – spread in church categories from 3-year-old room, kid’s ministry, middle school, and high school. I’d never expected life to be so busy and full! (Jillian, yes, I know you are close, but for another half a year, you cannot drive!)
Look around your “table” and count the blessings that make your life full. Be thankful for each and every one.
Jesus, thank you for all you’ve given us. Thank you for deep thoughts from a stranger’s passing words. Let us always look around and remember that every gift is from you.
Thank you for reading!
Type at your later,
~Nancy Tart
