Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving – my favorite holiday of all. Partly because it’s still fall, which I love for all the colors, cooler temps, and yummy fall foods; partly because of hunting and the possibility of adding venison to the Thanksgiving table; but mostly because of the Thanksgiving feast! I love a big fresh turkey and lots of stuffing, potatoes and homemade cranberry sauce. My kids *love* fresh turkey, especially the way it makes the house smell and your mouth water when it comes out of the oven to be carved for dinner. My daughter was just starting to help out in the kitchen the last time we had Thanksgiving together three years ago. I’m sure by now she’s a big help for her mom and grandma. Maybe she has a special dish or dessert she likes to make, maybe a special pie or putting together the sweet potatoes. My kids always enjoyed watching the parade on TV and then football all day. My son is a football fanatic and what could be better than turkey and football.

The other thing I love about Thanksgiving is getting together with family and friends to share the feast and give thanks. I’m sure my kids enjoyed spending the day with their mom’s family – all their aunts, uncles and cousins, and of course their grandparents. I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with my long time friends and their family, we’ve known each other so long, we pretty much ARE family. My family is mostly out of town this time of year, so it’s been a change for me to not have family around for the holidays. I miss my kids very much. I hope they missed me too. I sent them Thanksgiving cards to let them know I am thinking about them and to congratulate them on good report cards, a successful football season, and a good performance in the school play. I wonder if they got the cards. A phone call, email or simple text would be nice. Maybe some day.

As far as the true meaning of Thanksgiving, there are many things I am thankful for this year. I’m thankful for my good friends and family, and for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time. I’m thankful for my children, they are the most precious things in the world to me and I’m thankful that they are good kids with nice friends and doing well. I’m thankful for their mom and her family that is giving them the extra love and support they need right now. I’m thankful for waking up every morning and for living a happy fulfilling life with meaningful work, able hands to do that work, good friends to share good times, a wonderful family that is always there for me, and just plain being happy. I wish my children were around to share some of this happiness.

November 2010

Dia De Los Muertos. Both my kids are studying Spanish in school, so I’m sure they are learning about this unique remembrance holiday in Mexican culture. I’m remembering my Grandma today, she passed away shortly after my ex and I separated. My ex did not allow our kids to go to her funeral and be with their family. They did get to see her the summer before she passed away. I have a beautiful picture of my daughter with Grandma around the campfire at our family cabin. Happy memories prevail once again, that's what today is all about.

Happy birthday to me! My friends and family "got me" with a true surprise birthday party. Still trying to get my head around how blessed I am with such wonderful people in my life. They help me maintain my sanity and remind me that it's okay to want to be happy. I feel truly sad for people who believe that holding grudges, seeking revenge and manipulating innocence is an acceptable way for family (or anybody really) to act when life doesn't go exactly the way they planned or hoped. Sure hope I never get like that. I had a delightful evening of yummy treats, good conversation and fun cards & gifts. But as much as I enjoyed it all, at the end of the day, I just really missed my babies.

Oh wow! How about those Giants?!?! That's a good old fashioned butt kicking right there (Seattle). Woot woot! My son's PW Bears didn't do as well this year, at least not as great as they did last year. Last year they went all the way and won the divisional championship in NJ. I got to see a few of those games before the "you can't come unless you're invited" court thing kicked in. I have the team photo, with my son right up front, framed in my office and I shared it with the rest of his family. We're all so proud of him, me especially. This year they didn't get quite that far. But I heard my son got some quarterback opportunities - he had to love that. Wish I could have seen it. Still so very proud of and happy for him. He's a great ball player, always has his head in the game 100%. Maybe next year I'll get a chance to see a game.

It's count down to the school play for my daughter. They did the rehearsal performances for their classmates this week and now it's crunch time before the big shows next weekend. I'm sure she's having a ball with it, this is her thing, always has been, and she's very good at it. Not sure what part she has. Being her biased dad, I of course think she should be the beautiful Belle lead, but that's just me, dads are like that. I'm sure whatever part she plays she will play it perfectly and with that special finesse she always gives, especially if something trips up. She's good at improvising and making it work out and more importantly, making the audience laugh. I would give anything to be invited to go see the play. I don't even need to talk to her or have her see me if she didn't want me to. I would enjoy just seeing her be happy and have a good time.