In February 2024 this website crashed for no apparent reason. Despite using professionals at GoDaddy.com it was impossible to restore anything after October 2021 (over 100 posts). I do have many of those post in draft form (no final edit or photos) and I have decided to repost them in that manner. I apologize for typos and other errors. How do I feel about losing all of my original work? Life goes on.

A frozen turkey thaws in our basement refrigerator. A cardboard box filled with bags of Pepperidge farm dressing, cans of cranberry sauce, and a tub of French fried onions is clumsily placed on the dining room table.  Kathryn retrieved the Thanksgiving box from the basement and William and I placed the holiday decorations around the house, most of which were made by the kids when they were in preschool.  Thanksgiving is coming, my favorite holiday.

In the past, Thanksgiving would be a chaotic, but fun time ,as we would have to get the house ready for Julie’s family to descend upon us.  Wednesday night would find me changing out burnt light bulbs and taking 10 PM trips to Walmart to buy extra towels.  Her entire family would arrive Wednesday night and leave on Saturday or Sunday.  In the beginning, all of her family would stay at our house, but eventually the family grew too large and some had to hotel.  Football on TV, group movies, games, walks to downtown to see the decorations… and meals, many meals. It was exhausting, but wonderful.

This changed with COVID, and then it became too difficult for Julie’s aging parents to travel the many hours from Minnesota to Illinois.  The size of our dinners scaled down, but the kids wanted all of the same dishes.  Afterall, it was tradition.  Of course, we complied.

This year it will be our family and Will’s girlfriend, Lauren.  She is delightful, and we are happy to share our feast with her.  Number one daughter, Anne will celebrate Thanksgiving with her partner’s family, but will travel from central Illinois Friday.  We miss her and her family terribly, but we have been so preoccupied with Julie’s illness that we haven’t traveled to see her. We are all excited to reconnect.

Today (Wednesday), we will do a little more house organizing. The robot vacuums do a decent job, but I may pull out the real vacuum so the place looks extra nice.  I have already made multiple trips to the grocer, but Julie will go today to buy some freshly cut flowers, and whatever else peaks her fancy.  

When we were first married Julie felt intimidated by the task of making Thanksgiving dinner.  I took over and have organized it ever since.  Tonight all of us will spend a little time putting together side dishes.  We do a very traditional dinner so the kids will be assigned various tasks. Kathryn will make the cranberry Jello (a Midwestern tradition), William will make the green bean casserole, Grace will likely be assigned the sweet potatoes, and Julie will make the corn casserole.  We will also bake some pies, and make some yeast dinner rolls. A starch laden meal, but that’s how we roll. Tomorrow, I’ll make the turkey, dressing, gravy, and potatoes (although I’ll enlist some potato peelers).  Then the cleanup, and a family walk.  Traditionally, we end the evening with a viewing of “A Christmas Story,”  my all-time-favorite movie. In the blink of an eye the weekend will be over, but the memories will last.

During Thanksgiving dinner we go around the table to say what we are thankful for.  This year, I am thankful for so many things.  I am fortunate beyond belief.

I am thankful that Julie’s surgery and radiation are behind her.  She is suffering, but faces life with courage and grace.  I will do whatever is necessary to help her along her path.

I am thankful for my wonderful children.  I can’t describe their outstanding qualities, as they would fill pages.  They are kind and considerate individuals, all four of them.  Their energy is focused on making the world a better place for all. My pride in them bursts from me.

I am thankful for my grandkids.  I wish I had seen them more this last year.  Cancer got in the way.

I am thankful for my friends. Saying this brings tears to my eyes.  I have never needed tons of friends, but I do need some, and they have been so loyal and concerned for me and my family.  They have no obligation to do so, but they have stood by me in the way true friends do.

I am thankful for my extended family on both sides.  I am so lucky to have such good people in my life.  For many, the holidays are times of nightmares.  For me, they are times of re-connecting and joy.  

I am  thankful for my aging kitty, Mercury, who loves to wake me up very early in the morning so I can feed her. Her sweet and gentle nature adds comfort to our home.

I am thankful for my general good health, for obvious reasons.

I am thankful that I am retired, but have the resources to weather inflation in a beautiful community filled with wonderful people.

I am thankful that I am happy, and continue to find joy in learning new things. 

I’m thankful for Violet the campervan.  A machine that I have personified as she gives me so much pleasure.

Lastly, I am thankful that you read this little missive.  Thank you for being you!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Mike