My aunt Marilyn passed away from cancer too young. She loved Thanksgiving and hosting her large family for the holiday. At her funeral, someone said Thanksgiving won't be the same without her. However, the author remembers his aunt saying life is too short to be sad about what you don't have. While they won't have her, they have memories of her. During this time of thankfulness, they should focus on appreciating what they do have and sharing that with others feeling down this season, just as his Aunt Marilyn would have wanted.

1. November comes, and November goes,
With the last red berries, and the first white snows.
With night coming early, and dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket, and frost by the gate.
The fires burn, and the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest, until next spring.
- Elizabeth Coatsworth
I recently returned from the funeral of my Aunt Marilyn. She passed away from
cancer…way too young and way too soon. She was born and raised in a small
“holler in the hills” as she would put it - and never left. She, along with my uncle,
had three beautiful daughters, and was a proud “Nana” of 6 grandchildren…and she
was my favorite aunt. Always smiling (even during her health battles), full of spit
and vinegar (a Southern colluquism), a bit mischievious, and like me, loved this
time of year. And although a generation apart, we shared the same memories of
this, our favorite month; days growing shorter, cooler temperatures, and leaves
turning colors. And like me, her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. She loved
playing host to her family and their friends. Her house always seemed open that
day to anyone who wandered in, hungry, cold, or just looking for a smile. She
loved watching the Macy’s Day Parade, and even tolerated my uncle’s penchant for
watching every football game aired. And she absolutely relished in playing dinner
host and watching everyone eat her Thanksgiving dinner. And after it was all over,
sitting in her favorite, beat-up old rocker, sipping a “nip of the good stuff”, and
watching everyone just enjoy being with each other. Oh how I loved that woman!
At her funeral, I heard one of my cousins say “I guess Thanksgiving will never be
the same.” And I thought about that, and felt sad. Not because she will no longer
be in her kitchen cooking up her “overly-buttered” turkey (another Southern
tradition I guess), but because I don’t think she wouldn’t have wanted that. She
once said to me “Honey boy, life is too short to be sad about the things you don’t
have.” And that’s what made me sad. Even though we won’t have her, we have
her memories and those times we did have together. So during this joyous time,
even though there might be suffering all around us, we should pause and be
thankful for the things we have and the friends and family who love us. And we
should share that with those in and close to our lives who might be feeling a bit
down during this season. My Aunt Marilyn would have! So, in honor of her, I wish
you and your family a very safe and “thankful” November.
Tyler