Close to Nowhere

I’m often ashamed that I don’t take time more often to be thankful. I mutter and grumble a lot. I’m thankful I can do that.

I often will say a little prayer, “Please Lord, let me do this...” “Please Lord, give me that...” “Please Lord, I need...”

And yet, very seldom do I stop and say, “Thank you, Lord.”

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. The food is wonderful, there’s no “present” pressure and our family gathers round and we cook and eat and nap.

The late Pop always came behind me cooking and would wash all the big pots and pans to keep the clutter down in my tiny kitchen. He and my brother Dennis were the best help. Dennis still is. He’s perfected deviled eggs and is the official dressing stirrer before it goes in the oven. Pop was the official taster, now daughter Dana has taken on that chore. She loves cornbread and turkey broth as much as Pop did.

Since our family has grown so much, with both granddaughters bringing boys home and keeping them, we have to plan around a bunch of family schedules.

Oldest granddaughter Merideth has two sets of inlaws and grandparents that she and husband Tim and children Shepard and Ruby June have to visit.

Youngest granddaughter Remy only has to visit with husband Mitch’s large family, but he has a horrible work schedule, which adds to scheduling difficulty. (Remy and Mitch are so newly married and she always says, “my husband,” instead of Mitch. Makes me smile to see my granddaughters so happy.

With all the confusion, I’m getting two Thanksgivings this year. Last year, the “kids” had to eat three Thanksgiving dinners in one day and were rushing hither and yon and nobody enjoyed anything.

So, this year we had our Thanksgiving Saturday evening (before Thanksgiving) so Mitch was home from work and daughter Dana was home from work and Dennis and I got to cook all day, just us.

Then, Thanksgiving Day, a family friend from Memphis, Tenn., Brian, is coming down to hunt. He always eats dinner with us, so we’re having a leftover Thanksgiving with him and anybody else who shows up (come on, you’re all welcome).

I grumble and complain about my health, I worry about son Kris’ health, I just generally worry about everyone. I need to stop and be thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving!