The worst thing about the USO tour to Afghanistan? It took me a week to get over the jet lag.

The best thing? The memory of it will last a lifetime.

And, yet, it seems like I’ve woken up from a surreal dream. It was a whirlwind trip, covering a LOT of territory in a short amount of time, that, a week and a half after returning home, I ask myself often, “Did that really happen?”

For example, Michael and I landed at the Asheville, NC, airport the other day. He spotted a couple of helicopters parked on the tarmac and remarked, “There are your Black Hawks.” Of all my experiences on the tour, flying in the Black Hawks over treacherous mountain ranges was probably the most exhilarating. It even sounds harrowing, doesn’t it? Of course, for me, clambering in and out of them in full gear was the real challenge! And although I did it, it seems like something that happened to another person while I watched.

Experiences such as that seem especially distant this week, when I’m surrounded by grandsons and into the full swing of Thanksgiving. Months ago, when I noticed on my calendar how quickly the feasting holiday would follow the USO tour, I tentatively suggested a catered Thanksgiving dinner. You know, order it ahead, pick up the turkey and all the trimmings the day before. Nuke it and serve.

The idea was met with a chorus of protests that would have rocked a Greek amphitheater.

So, tradition prevailed. The meal that everyone expects will be on the table at 2:00 EST. (Two hours before the kickoff of the Cowboys’ game, also a tradition.) Three days before, I’ll go grocery shopping with my daughter, Rachel, taking with us the list we’ve been compiling for days. (I always forget something like brown sugar or nutmeg, which aren’t staples.)

I’ll bake the cornbread for the dressing two days ahead, so it can “dry out,” as my mother used to say. Which makes no sense because then you just make it damp again by adding chicken stock to it. But who am I to argue with such a hard and fast dressing-making rule?

One day before, I’ll chop, slice, dice, boil. I’ll bake a pecan pie (my one and only of the year) and mix the ingredients for the Sweet Potato Souffle (from the recipe book of Savannah’s Mrs. Wilke’s Boarding House) so it’ll be ready to put in the oven an hour before the meal. I’ll make the ambrosia (Ryan’s fav) and put it in the fridge. I’ll cook the bacon for the “barbecued” green beans and make sure I’ve got enough potatoes for the “mash.” Victoria, my daughter-in-law, would never forgive me if I omitted that English staple. Son-in-law,Pete, has put in a special request for pumpkin pie with real whipped cream. Michael’s happy with anything so long as it’s chocolate.

Thanksgiving morning, I’ll mix the dressing while watching the Macy’s parade. Everyone will be made to sample it in order to tell me what it needs. More salt? More sage?

If all goes well and according to plan, the rolls will come out of the oven at 1:55. We’ll hold hands and say grace and sit down to eat — in twenty minutes — what has taken days to prepare.

This year, I’ll say grace and enjoy these family traditions with a new perspective: That of truly being grateful to be surrounded by those I love. Because thousands of brave men and women, members of our armed services and civilians working alongside them, will be away from their kin and the aromas that make their mouths water for some of mama’s cooking.

I want them to know that they are still in my thoughts and prayers, on Thanksgiving Day, and every day until (as the USO motto says) Everyone Comes Home.

So, what family traditions are you looking forward to…or planning on breaking?!