As you pull into the driveway you left what felt like ages ago, you begin to smile, thinking about all the fond memories you made here. This place is and will always be home. You see dad has finally got around to those renovations on the house that your mom kept nagging him about. Mom planted new flowers in her "garden," but sadly with last week's freeze, they were already dead.

You ring the doorbell and your mom answers, she breaks down into tears because she hasn't seen you in such a long time. She's wearing the same apron that she received from her grandmother when she was a little girl. She wears it every year as if it was battle armor and she was going off to war but instead of war it was cooking. Dropping your bags, you embrace her with every ounce of energy you have in your body. There is no other hug better in this entire world than the one your mother gives you.

You step in through the door to find your dad passed out on the couch watching his favorite football team. Mom rushes over to wake him up, like a giant waking from a nap, he makes groggy noises and immediately sees you. A smile fills his face and he instantly sees the facial hair that has filled your face. "Looks like you forgot your razor when you left here," he says laughingly. He hugs you with all his strength, and you begin to feel his warmth radiating from his body.

Your siblings begin to spill into the living room because they heard you were home. Surprisingly, you missed them. And whats even more surprising is that they missed you. They begin to show you all of their new toys they got for getting good grades, and the cuts and bruises they got from playing club soccer.

Then you hear the doorbell ring again. You ask Mom who else is coming. As she opens the door, you're stunned by all the family you haven't seen in years. From your grandparents to your crazy cousins that go to your rival school. Hugs and laughter begin to fill the house and Mom forces everyone inside to keep the cold autumn air coming in the house.

Finally, comes the best part: the food. You can't even begin to describe the smell because you're hypnotized by it.Your mom and grandma begin to bring all the food out as your grandpa stuffs his napkin in his shirt because he knows it's going to get messy. Finally, you have graduated to the adult table and no longer have to sit at the lame kid table.

Dad blesses the food and begins to carve the turkey and you already know you want the dark meat. You fill your plate way beyond the limit of what it is supposed to hold with sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a delicious home-made roll.

Sitting back, you look around. Reflecting and savoring this perfect moment, you add it to the other memories that belong in a special file in your mind. You know that this Thanksgiving is different. There's something about it that makes it more magical and better than all the others. But all in all, you know that through the changing of the trees, the smiles on your families face, and the football playing in the background as you eat, this is Thanksgiving and you are beyond thankful.