The Superior Express -

Thanksgiving 2020 is turning out to be one of making adjustments that may include cutting back on getting the whole family together as usual because of COVID warnings. For most people, it’s been dealing with making adjustments and trying to decide what is the right way to celebrate this meaningful holiday.

Maybe if the family can’t all be together, it will just make a person thankful of the past family Thanksgiving Day gatherings. Hopefully next year will be back to the way it used to be. This year may be a great time to just simply sit down and make up a list of everything we are thankful for. In doing that, we can see how blessed we really are even in these difficult times.

I’ve found we can still keep in touch with our loved ones, even if we can’t all be together for Thanksgiving. With today’s technology, we can not only call up our loved ones on the telephone, or send a greeting via snail mail, but we can actually see them by pushing a button on the computer, tablet or cell phone. There is “Facetime” where families can visit, along with seeing those special faces, blowing kisses, and maybe even showing off a new hair do.

This week a side of my family that has always been close developed a plan. Through the years most have moved into different directions, making it hard to have holiday time all together. Even though it’s been a challenge to do so, at least once a year, the family has made it a point for most to somehow find a place to gather together. This Thanksgiving, all knew it would be almost impossible. Thanks to a sister-in-law and her husband, they came up with a neat idea. We will “Zoom” together!

The brother-in-law and his family have scheduled regular group meetings online once a week, where everyone can be seen and heard. So it was planned and, of course, all the family members had to be clued in on exactly how to get onto Zoom. I questioned myself as to whether I could do all that was required to join the others online but after walking through it step-by-step, they assured me I could do it at the appointed time.

So Sunday, afternoon at exactly 2 p.m., everyone in the family who cared to participate grabbed their tablets, cell phones or computers and went through the process. I had my lap top computer on my lap, seated in my recliner, with my husband behind me. Suddenly there everyone was. Each person appearing on the computer screen, in their own box, just like at the start of the once popular television show The Brady Bunch. We were smiling and waving to each other. There were three nephews and their spouses, four sisters-in-law and their spouses, two or three grand nieces and nephews.

It was wonderful seeing all their faces once again. The sister-in-law and brother-in-law who came up with this plan acted as the emcees, so we weren’t talking at the same time. Family stories of years past were shared and the laughter rang out. Each one updated the others on their current happenings and plans. It was fun and such a special time. We were once again all together through this online Zoom.

All too soon, it was time to say our good-byes but we made a promise and plans to do this again regularly. I know it will come to be. We couldn’t all be together seated around the Thanksgiving table, but we still got to be together laughing and sharing just like old times.

Wishing all a Blessed Thanksgiving Day!