Say thanks for this odd turkey combo

The Cajun concept of a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey had eluded me until last week when our three children joked about "turduckens."

Afterward I logged online. They weren't kidding. Recipes abound. And devotees gather together in "Turducken Teams" to prepare the poultry trio-- to debone, stuff and roast the Louisiana Thanksgiving special is an arduous task for one person.

Turducken is also a portmanteau, a word that packs two or more sounds and meanings into a single word like brunch, a time to serve leftover turducken with andouille stuffing and sweet potato eggplant gravy. I'm so grateful for the Internet!

With a more traditional focus, a bunch of friends recently reminisced about our Thanksgiving Day favorites.

Responses ranged from livers and gizzards to corn bread dressing, pumpkin pie, and, oh yes, the turkey, prompting a few yucks and yums. Other high-scoring favorites included Thursday's Noon Lions Club Turkey Trot 5K and watching football on TV.

I added Aunt Ruthie's melt-in-your-mouth yeast rolls with the zest of orange. And I thought about Aunt Frannie's homemade noodles served with giblet gravy.

Moreover, my memories, family and friends provide plenty for thanksgiving every day.

I especially count my blessings for our three adult children, each two years apart, and our precious times together, now less often.

Last week's turducken chuckles took me back to 1983, the year Jeff was born, and the afternoon we were sitting on the floor in our family room. I held a wailing newborn in my arms, while Ashley and Tep also were crying, vying for my attention while they tried to build a Lego tower taller than a 2-year-old. Struggling to comfort my three babies, I wondered how I'd ever manage.

"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" provided relief.

And though I've shed my share of parenting tears, both for heartache and joy, I'm grateful the only time the four of us have ever cried aloud in unison was then!

Every holiday season, despite life's ups and downs and challenges that surprise us, I'm mindful it's the sweet little things I appreciate most. For instance, I cherish the terse Post-it notes ("Mom. I'm at Tucker's") left by our children -- especially the ones when they thought to sign their name with love.

Raising funds for clean water wells in Africa and India via Rotary reminds me how lucky we are to turn on the tap with fresh running water -- hot and cold.

A recent service call that required turning off the power for several hours was enough for me to be thankful that our electricity is pretty reliable around the clock.

I'm also grateful for all the folks on duty Thanksgiving Day serving our country throughout the world and at police, fire and gas stations so the rest of us can travel safely this weekend … for elected officials who seek solutions, withstanding our advice and criticism … for freedom, good teachers and all people who want to give more than receive.

I'm grateful for all the residents who have contributed to make Naperville a good place to call home -- and risk-takers who invest time and talents and start new businesses to fulfill their dreams.

I'm grateful for everyone who shops, dines and entertains locally because local sales tax revenues are important to Naperville.

I'm grateful to Indian Prairie Unit District 204 communications director Janet Buglio and all members of the six middle schools in District 204 who participated in a fundraising effort for Naperville Responds, an initiative close to my heart to fund homes for families left homeless in hurricane-ravaged Pass Christian, Miss.

The multi-faceted effort featured a week of student activities that culminated with a softball tournament on Oct. 19, fielded by staff members and umpired by administrators and school board members at Frontier Park. Mayor George Pradel attended with cheers of appreciation for the students.

Afterward, Crone Middle School Principal Stan Gorbatkin patiently answered my questions, noting that many students had emptied their piggy banks and donated change from lunch money. All totaled, the students and educators raised $22,376 for Naperville Responds!

Finally, I'm grateful that folks trust me with their stories. Thanks for reading.

Happy Thanksgiving!