(Of course it makes it a little rushed - pulling off a sit-down meal for 18 people on a work day is, uh, nuts. Thankfully my mom brought the turkey. And my sister brought the buns. :) And Drew and Danica were here to help me whip and frost and set and pour.)
It was a fantastic evening.
BUT the rest of the weekend was kinda a drag. I slept alot. Like, 12-hours-a-day lot. And single-handedly ate most of the leftovers.
Burp.
Things I'm thankful for:
1. I'm thankful that my dad is still with us.
A friend of mine's dad passed away this summer. He was over 90, lonely for his wife (who had died 4 years earlier) and was in pain. So it was a bit of a blessing when he peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus. But still. She misses him, you know?
She sent me an email today describing the services they had and the family gathering that took place afterwards ... " The day after the funeral we all went to the farm for brunch. (The farm is where her dad and mom raised their family of 8 kids) It was beautiful. We (8 kids, their spouses, all but 3 of the 31 grandkids plus their spouses and 25 great grandchildren) sat outside and shared stories and sang songs, as the grandchildren chatted and got re-acquainted and the great-grandchildren played and got rides on the combine. It seemed everyone, even the little ones who had never been there before, felt at home on the farm. 3 of the grandkids played ukuleles as Elmer sang “Hold Fast to the Right”, a song that Dad used to sing when they (my older siblings) were going to bed and were afraid of bears under their beds. I wished the day would go on and on."
I was thinking how nice it is that they still have the farm to go back to. My dad and mom's farm is gone. The land is still there, but it's a Surrey Works Yard now. The house and barns are gone. The driveways ripped up. Clint was there the other night, at midnight, just laying by the big rock thinking about life. I know the other grandkids have snuck back too... remembering the good times we all enjoyed on those lush, rolling 25 acres.
Man. Where'd that come? I was talking about things I'm thankful for. And I'm thankful that my dad is here. I'm thankful that Vern has great memories of her dad's funeral. I'm thankful she and her siblings have deep roots in Manitoba soil and that they can harvest what their parents sowed all those years ago.
I'm also thankful for that other guy in the photo above.
Jesse.
He chose to sit next to my dad.
*That* speaks volumes about the kinda guy that kid is.
2. I'm thankful for these people.
ALL OF THEM.
I am thankful that Jesse and Vanessa wanted to play a game after supper.
I am thankful that they are cool enough to sway (most of) the crowd into playing along.
I am thankful that Clint, Max and Drew all jumped on board, being good sports.
3. I'm thankful that my mom is sacrificially caring for my dad.
It's not easy. Nor how she envisioned spending her retirement. But she does it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With no break.
4. I am thankful for my house.
I am thankful we "fit".
When I moved here, I acknowledged that this place was a gift from God to me.
It has been a perfect place to raise sons.
5. I am thankful that colds don't last longer than a week. SO mine should be done.
6. I am thankful for friends who are happy to hang out with my family. I am thankful for October and all the birthdays in it. I am thankful that I have a job. I am thankful that I can go to church and not worry about prosecution. I am thankful for Gerber daisies. I am thankful for books. I am thankful for cameras. I am thankful for clever people. I am thankful for inventors. I am thankful for the older generation of Christian men and women who inspire us and pray for us and challenge us.
I am thankful.
Shalom,
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