The Odessa Record -

Thanksgiving was my favorite time of year growing up, and in many ways, it still is. Of course, some of that magic has disappeared as I get older, but the meaning remains the same. For me, Thanksgiving at its core is about family and spending time together. Unfortunately, as the years have passed, I have lost much of my family due to cancer or other ailments.

As we all get older, our friends can sometimes become more like our family when our own is missing. As a result, we feel the pains of those missing family members more during this time of year. Therefore, it is essential to show grace...