The Season of Change and Not Change

Another thanksgiving has come and gone. This year was the season of change, the first Thanksgiving without my mom. So there were moments that were bittersweet, thinking of Thanksgivings past. My dad seems to be doing ok, just lonely. He remembered my mom's part, and brought the pies, bringing enough so that all 20 of us had our own. And there was a new generation in the kitchen this year. Oh, my sister-in-law, Mush, was still in charge overall, having once again bought enough food to feed the enitre population of a small country, and Julia, my co-mother, was still in charge of the details of getting the food all on the table, but the girls really did a lot of the cooking, making traditional Thanksgiving dishes like soapapilla pie and some kind of heavenly sweet potato concoction. But there was still a thread of the past there, too, because when it comes time for the gravy, I always think of my grandmother; she made the best turkey gravy--but failed to teach any of us how to make it so we just have to kind of wing it--and it may or may not turn out. And there were noodles, a favorite of Mema Betty Jane's. And Papa Mack brought the smoked cheese. And Tommy didn't have to carry the dressing anywhere, so we didn't have to scrape it off the driveway this year.
So there we were, our beautiful family, from those two great- grandparents in their 80s to the newest members, two who are merely months old.
In October, both my niece, Elizabrat, and my daughter Lyndsey had babies, so there was always a baby for me to hold, while all this cooking was going on. The sweet and lovely Greta Ruth, a delicate, dark-haired beauty and the precious blond cowboy ER were in great demand. Both because they are sweet-smelling babies and because you can get out of a lot of work if the babies need to be held. And if someone wrestled the babies away from me, then there was Maggie Moo or the Marvelous Macy to look after. We took a lot of pictures, soon to be posted here.
And there was a bountiful feast, for which I am grateful, and a beautiful family, for which I am truly blessed.

Thanksgiving

Ok, so I took this job in Denver. Professionally, it was a great opportunity. Personally, though, it took me away from my family. You know, those grandkids that I am always blogging about. So, it has been lonely. I mean, look at those babies with Mr. Lynn. They are having fun and I am not there!!

Oh, the job is great! Every day, I walk to work and I look at the beautiful mountains and I think, "I am so lucky to live here!" The job is busy, and challenging, and the day goes by fast. Every evening, though, as I am walking home, I am thinking of my family and not seeing them today. Cell phones are great; but talking just isn't the same as giving them a hug. Hearing Macy say, "MeeeeMeeee! Quit snoring!" or "Turn up the heat ditioner" (I mean, if their is an AIR conditioner, there could also be a Heat Ditioner, right?)

So, today is the day before Thanksgiving. Tonight I am going to join thousands of other air travelers trying to get home for the holidays. I had to park my car at the Park-N-Ride yesterday, because it seems that all the parking spaces get filled up on holiday weekends. So tonight, I have to drag my huge suitcase (I mean, who knows what the weather will be in Tulsa?!) out to the curb and hitchhike over to the Park-N-Ride, so that I can catch the bus to the airport, so I can stand in line for two hours with the rest of the people trying to get out of Denver. Luckily, we are closing early today, because the whole process could take me a while. (So, you may be thinking, why did she have to take her car to the Park-n-ride if she was riding the bus--well, I have to get back to work on Monday morning.)

However, it will all be worth it! Because tonight, I am going to sleep in Macy's room, where I will try not to snore and she will definitely wake me up if I do, and tomorrow I get to snuggle up with baby ER. And there will be lots to eat, because my sister-in-law is cooking. Baby Greta Ruth, whom I haven't seen since she was 5 days old, will be there with her big sister Maggie Moo. And my Bennie Boy, the owner of the mini horses and protector of all animal strays, will be there with my sweet daughter-in-law, Brooke. There will be lots of family time (but never enough) and lots of food. We will have Thanksgiving dinner and then we will all go to the movies, just like we do every year (except, of course, the year that Tommy lost the dog; even though Mush warned him about letting Jeremiah outside he did it anyway and some people had to miss the movie to look for the dog so that Mush didn't divorce Tom; I mean, that wouldn't be right, on Thanksgiving, to have a split in the family.)

So, I am counting my blessings today, because tonight I will sleep in the pink and purple room of my favorite granddaugther, and tomorrow I will wake up with the babies close. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Be sure and count your blessings!

Baby ER and Big ER

Well, he is all of 6 weeks old now. So sweet, that baby smell. His mom, my daughter, is such a great mom. She is so attentive to him, and she worries about him. He doesn't eat, he eats too much, he doesn't sleep, he sleeps too much. But she is so great--she sends me a new picture every day. She takes him to work with her, she cuddles him up and checks in golfers at the same time. ER doesn't seem much like a baby name, though. She and Richard named him for my dad, her grandad, his great-grandpa, a man who is very special to all of us.

Big ER will turn 80 this Christmas day, and he still works cattle, mows his own lawn, gets on the roof to put up his Christmas lights. We all treasure the time we have with him, he has always been the rock of our family. If anyone has a problem, they can call him and he will listen and be supportive no matter what.

Visiting the Grandkids

So, I just returned from visiting my new grandson and his sister, the Marvelous Macy. Little ER is so sweet, he has filled out from the last time I saw him. He is 6 weeks old now, and absolutely beautiful.
So, the Marvelous Macy spent the weekend with us. mr. Lynn and I checked into a kid friendly hotel with an incredible play area, louie's lagoon. Macy had a great time and invited friends, and Mimi spent most of Sat and Sun watching kids swim. They had so much fun it wore the skin off their feet and knees!!
It is such a pleasure watching children play with one another. They can play for hours in water, and for some reason watching them is as fun as playing in the water with them. They have just incredible imaginations, where I see a pretend palm tree, they see a real one. Where I see a play cannon, they see pirates and forts and honors that need to be defended. It does wear them out though.
And, sadly, at the end of sunday I had to say good bye to the little guys...but I will see them again at thanksgiving, which is really something to be thankful for!