On Nov. 27, 2002, the little cutie on the left welcomed the tiny cutie on the right into our family, and life hasn’t been quite the same since.
Any guesses how I can love this guy so easily?
On Thanksgiving, he turned 12. I knew we were in for a beautiful couple days of celebrating when, while out doing Thanksgiving errands, this sundog appeared.
Within a couple hours, I’d gathered up the chicks and we were off — all seven of us in the minivan once again, for the first time in many months.
Well, eight, if you count our reluctant canine, who wasn’t so sure about things but managed quite well in the end.
Grandma knew a Thanksgiving boy would easily get bumped from the spotlight so had things party-ready at the hotel when we arrived.
Pizza was eaten, presents opened…
And all that sugar put the sillies in the cousins.
The next morning, while the two cousins were waking in a fish house out on Lake Minnewaska…
we were stretching from our night at the new Grand Stay hotel in Glenwood. Numero cinco and I got up and ready in time to attend Mass just a few blocks away. Mass on Thanksgiving has not been a tradition, but I’m hoping it will become one. After all, Eucharist, in Greek, means “Thanksgiving.” There’s no better way to start the day.
And a quick dip in the pool one last time afterward was just the thing.
We arrived at Grandma’s and Grandmpa’s in time to watch Uncle Mike frying up the Lake Minnewaska born walleye on the deck out back.
Grandma Gladys said, “This is about the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” That’s saying a lot, coming from someone who has been around a few decades! (It really was quite amazing…)
From there, a little grace with the gang kicked things off nicely, and we were off and eating…
It was a grand feast and I can’t be more thankful for the blessing of it.
My in-laws are pretty awesome the way they welcome and warm hearts and tummies with their serving attitude. I’m humbled to be one of the blessed recipients of all this giving. I know many are literally left out in the cold on such a day. That we might all be welcomed and warm.
Soon enough, we were back home, with just enough time for birthday boy and I to head to the theaters for some time in the recliners with a big tub of buttered corn. That’s a Thanksgiving food too, right?
And now for Black Friday fun. Truthfully, it’s the thing I most dread, but I’ve been lured in by a service project one of the kids signed up to do that required an adult presence. For three hours today, we’ll be folding unfolded clothes at a large sporting goods store here in Fargo; all for a good cause. Nevertheless, given the sacrifice quotient, I’m pretty sure I’ll be given a few days out of purgatory for this one.
Q4U: Were you serving recipient or giver this Thanksgiving?
I think a bit of both! You jam- packed a lot of holiday in your trip- how wonderful all of you got to go together! That sun dog was a sight to see- and you captured it in all its glory!
What a great celebration you had. Happy Birthday to your boy. And, yes, popcorn is a Thanksgiving food. They serve it on A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving, Roxane!