GIVING THANKS

November 27, 2009

Here's to giving Thanks. At least once a year, we gather around a large table over-full with food. We say thank you to the people we love most in the world. The people who have always been there for you whenever you needed them. And for those whom we can't sit across the table from, we have the telephone to wish them a quick hello, thank you, and hope your day is great. We have football, and children prancing about the rooms playing at ballerinas, ninjas, and teens dragging the little ones around as the tots cling to the ankles of strong young boys. There is much laughter, wine and beer are consumed, turkey, dressing, potatoes, sweet potatoes, veggies (that hardly anyone really touches), desserts a plenty, and finally the day is over and we all roll out to our cars or roll down the stairs to our homes, or simply flop into bed, full, happy, and sleep with gratitude. Such was my day.

My thanks are plenty, my daughter and I made cranberry bread from scratch in the morning and watched the parade, and my son with his too long hair joined us groggy with sleep. Finally Ed wandered in and bread was broke, the day went on. We got ready to go to a friend's house in New Jersey, and then my chemo took hold, but I was determined to not let it control my day. So I took extra meds, who cared if I was doped up, and remembered little of the night. The memories I have I've posted. They were priceless. Sarah and I curled up on the couch watching the Cowboys vs. Raiders game. She is such a fan of the Cowboys. At least her Aunt Suzanna is proud of that. I just love football, as long as the game is a good one. My son, Ian dragging around 4 kids under the age of 7 with his legs. He'll be sore today. The laughter, the joy that resonated through the house. Frank, Cathy's brother getting lost for 3 hours on the way to the house. Gramma Mary's (Cathy's mom) elation at the gift we got her; a gingerbread ceramic house with a 3 wick candle for inside. Talk of cancer was shared among those who have gone before me, and the fact that there was a chemo nurse there helped too. We shared our war stories, but they quickly melted away into things that were merrier.

After dinner, Sarah and I fell into a turkey induced comma, and pretty much missed the rest of the game. We said our goodbyes, and I think I slept most of the way home. Today was to be Black Friday for us, but I think I'll just enjoy the day with my daughter as we have to pack her up and send her back to LA in the morning. I hate to see her go, but she must go back to work, so you can enjoy her too on Modern Family (ABC Wednesday nights @ 9pm est).

Life is good. The bad things, the low things, the twisted things can be pushed away, easily. Just focus on the joy, the laughter, and the love.

Happy Thanksgiving, and may it last you all the year round.

Nite!

Light and Love!

Melissa