This weekend has been a really really sweet one for me. On Saturday my wife Kathy and I spent time with good friends old ones and new ones. We had a great time laughing, talking and eating good food. The conversations ranged from politics to family of origins and choice. The political conversation was all good and all of like minded people so it was pleasurable to engage especially after the election and having our President back in office. This afternoon was about the same. We went to lunch after our soulful and wonderful service of music and thought provokingness we met some old friends and made some new friends. Again the conversations around the table ranged from politics with like minded people to family and a whole new range of different conversations which was really nice along with some really good food.
Last night after all the different conversations were finishing up we had a group discussion about past Thanksgivings and the thoughts and feelings behind them. It was at times light hearted with laughter and sometimes it was sad with tears shed from some with loses of family and/or friends from this year. I didn't share about the death of my Dad until after the discussion was over and we were again in individual groups. A friend shared about her Dad's death which happened a few days after the death of my Dad. It is nice to have friends to share these hard and sad times with and they understand what you are going through and they love you and hold you. I give thanks for these women in my life. Kathy and I are always saying how we are all going to grow old together and that is a great feeling for me. I truly LOVE these women. These women are my family of choice.
Thanksgiving use to be my favorite holiday as a child. We use to have a huge family gathering with alot of buffet style food. It was held at my Aunt Shirley and Uncle Chucks house. When my Uncle Chuck died we stopped having Thanksgiving at my Aunt Shirley's house. Now as an adult things have changed for me and my family. Some for the better some not so much. This will be the 4th Thanksgiving that my Mom and I have been estranged. So we will not be sharing Thanksgiving with them once again. When Kathy and I had first gotten together we would divide our time between Thanksgiving dinners here and at Moms. Luckily my Mom only lives a little over an hour away and it would only be the four of us. I realize things change but sometimes it is still hard for me to comprehend not being with my Mom for the holidays. I do have Kathy's family which is a part of my family now and we have great friends to spend the holidays with. Life is still good just different.
This year Kathy's family is splitting their time in different places which is okay. Kathy's mom Nancy/Mutti is at a home for Alzheimer's and it is hard to take her anywhere because she just has a rough time riding in a car or changing any of her normal routines. So we will go visit with her after we have our Thanksgiving. Kathy and I and her brother Ralph if he is interested are thinking perhaps we will go to a soup kitchen and help with serving up some food to those less fortunate. It will be a way for us to give back and give thanks for all we have. I really like the idea.
My gratitude is overwhelming right now. I have my health back little by little. I have a roof over my head. I have a wife who truly loves me for me and I love her for who she is. I have friends and family that I know I can count on and who love me for me and I love them for who they are. Life is good at this moment in this space and in this time.
These are my thoughts and feelings from Jillsville.
You have captured so much a what I feel. I am very grateful for the life we have built together, and continue to nurture every day. Times change, people change and often leave, but the love and memories remain. And just for today, we have each other.
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