Thanksgiving

Full and Content?

Our Thanksgiving gathering began with the movie Bolt and then turkey dinner at our home. Guests included the Carters, the Widtfeldts, Sean H., and Gramma. Not a huge group (15), but a manageable one! Oh yes, and we set a place for Thomas Alva Edison, thanking him for refining a long-lasting lightbulb. We also learned that his family called him Al. Well Al, we were glad to learn a bit more about you, as we all read a paragraph or two about your life. Other shared gratitudes for inventions: Kristine was grateful for whoever invented Diet Coke, and Paul was grateful for John Crapper, the inventor of the toilet.

Crafts after dinner: Turkey cupcakes!

The Oldroyds came a caroling and shared songs and talk with us. They had a late dinner, since Cathy forgot to turn on the oven. Oh dear. In the photo above most of the kids are missing. They preferred playing in the basement. Warning: Not a great picture, but it's the only one we had.

Is Pete telling Merrell not to help Chandler in this very serious game of Scrabble? Not sure.

Thanksgiving came and Thanksgiving went. Soon it will be Christmas. A friend of mine calls Thanksgiving, “The prayer that ushers in the Christmas season.” Well said. Thanksgiving also ushers in a time when more family gatherings take place and a certain connectedness stretches its fingers into who we are, what we do, and what we share. New memories are created; old ones are recalled. When I stop to picture each face of my beloved family members, it makes my heart smile as I think about each personality and memories shared.

There is a reason and purpose that we were selected to be a family – a reason to keep family ties strong and on our minds. Knowing we will soon see family brings us great joy. Knowing some members will not be present brings us sadness and we miss them. Thinking about it too much can just bring dread of a chaotic gathering!! (JK) Yes, family remains the only glue that sticks, because that is where we discover where our treasure lies! ..and that’s the truth.

6 truths learned in families:
* No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
* When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.
* You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
* You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
* Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
* With a little effort a two-potato-clock works.