I always reflect during the holidays. My birth mother gave me up for adoption at birth. My parents, according to my dad, picked me to be their little girl amongst many. I would be lying if I said I didn't at times wonder who my birth mom is, what is she doing, where is she and how is her life now. I always picture her happy and having a family. I always say a prayer that she is given a sense of peace, she knows in her heart I am fine and have had a great life.

I then move on to the family I know. My dad passed away from cancer in the early '90s. My mom makes me tired when I hear her schedule. She will be 90 next year and she runs circles around me! They both taught me so much about giving and always being able to seek out others to help. They gave me a foundation for my faith and encouraged me to continue to grow in that faith. In all my years of volunteering, the years I was a volunteer chaplain at a local hospital and nursing home were the most rewarding. I always left the day from volunteering thinking about the gift I had been given by people sharing their deepest thoughts, fears andhopes and then praying with them. I never knew if I would see them again as I left for that day.

Thanksgiving for our family is usually with one or more of our kids and their families, and anyone we find who doesn't have a place to go for dinner or family to share. The kids would tell you growing up and when they started working, I would always ask if there was anyone at workwho didn't have a place to go. They would come home and tell me who didn't have a place to go and I would tell them to give an invitation to our home.

I love cooking all day! We have the biggest turkey that we can find and add stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, relishes, homemade bucket bread and pumpkin pies with whip cream. We usually eat late in the day because I love smelling the great smells all day.

I usually cook up all the giblets and those I don't use in the stuffing get sliced very small to be used for the pugs' Thanksgiving treat.

I try to use each day as a day of Thanksgiving and reflect on all I have to be grateful. As a daughter, my parents and brother have always been great role models for me. I have been blessed every day for the past 36 years with my husband Larry. He has stood by me no matter what we encounter. Our three children have blessed our lives in so many ways. Each of their spouses and their families has added more blessings to our family. The five grandchildren are very special. There is nothing like seeing the world through their eyes. As those commercials say, priceless! I am blessed to have a boss who allows me to have an elected position and also work for him. Our city manager, Brent McFall, and the six council members I work with is a team I am truly blessed to be a member.