Thanksgiving

Yesterday, Rachel and I joined her sister Katie and husband Chuck to help at a nursing home in Norfolk. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a great experience and we were able to help some people have a very nice Thanksgiving meal. It was quite eye opening and really hit home how fortunate we are and how for granted we take our health. One particular man, probably in his 70s or so, did not have either of his legs and he was up on crutches thanking people and in good spirits...pretty inspiring. Another woman, just a tiny one, asked that people call her Mother something or another and she was playing the piano while some of the others living there sang. Kind of reminded me of the scene on Wedding Singer where the grandma sings a rap song. It was entertaining and they were having fun:) All in all, we walked away giving extra thanks on the day.

Afterwards, we came back to our place and had a dinner of our own. We actually picked up a dinner from Harris Teeter that was pre made and all we had to do was heat everything up. Yes, our mothers and grandmothers would probably be ashamed...but it's tough cooking a big meal for 4 people. It ended up working out great and the food was delicious. A little tradition the girls had while growing up and I know my family did this a few different years too, was to go around the table and each person has to say what they are thankful for. I said I was thankful for how healthy we all were and how, for the most part, all of our extended families have been healthy too. After the meal, Chuck and I watched our oh so sorry Lions get their butts handed to them again...a pretty sad game to watch...kind of like a couple of bad college teams. The girls were planning a winter trip back to Michigan to get together with their sisters, mom, grandma and other family members on their dad's side to celebrate 10 years since their father has passed. I often wish I would have met him as he sounds like he was a pretty remarkable man.

So, that's that, another successful Thanksgiving in the books. It's hard being so far from family at times, but days like yesterday make it a lot easier.

Lucky for me, Rachel works today so I won't be coerced into any black Friday shopping craziness.