This is the biggest confession I have yet to make.

I AM A MOM!

This week my daughter will be accompanying her father and his new girlfriend to PA for Thanksgiving.

This event is so strange for me on so many levels.

* It is the first major holiday she has been away from me.

* It is the first time I will not be with a family I have been part of for 15 years.

* It is the first time I will not be cooking my world famous yams for anyone.

* It is the first time I will check into a hotel and eat a meal prepared by strangers.

* It is the first time I will be without a partner.

I would love to just lie in bed and pull the covers up over my head and wallow in the sadness of all this, but I cannot really do that for long.

It never fails… A friend will call with a wild adventure planned, Shaggy will jump onto my stomach with his leash hanging out of his mouth, or a sad song on the radio will become inspirational and I will find myself a hopeful dreamer again dancing around the house imagining all that is going to be.

This week I am going to Napa. Not alone.

I am going on a wild adventure with my friend, Shaggy with leash in tow, and the song Collide blasting in the background.

It is hard to wallow in sadness when so many good things surround you. It is hard to be sad when one has so many things to be thankful for.

Have a great Holiday Everyone!