Thanksgiving - More Than A Few Blessings

Thanksgiving has come and gone. But, oh, what a thanksgiving it was!

Four grandkids, six adults, and three dogs (one a puppy, two days of rain and a thanksgiving meal for eighteen made for a most interesting weekend. Five days of commotion, five days of blessings. In taking stock of the time, I know why God created menopause. I have no idea how I did it before, but there is no doubt, I am glad to be a grandmother now. There's not enough energy in me to go more than a few days. The energizer bunny just wore out! Continual motion mixed with chaos, laughter, and bedtime stories and prayers makes for a grandmother's dream. Whew! It's enough to make my head spin.

Commotion first:
My dishwasher has never had it so good. I must have run at least three loads of dishes a day. The refrigerator was packed to the gills -seven servings, three times a day kept my head spinning.. Add to that more than a few loads of wash, a trash bag of dog pooh, and refilling the dog bowl no less than five times a day! Where in the world did they put all that water?

We played golf, tennis, watched football, had a treasure hunt, went to the park, walked the dogs around the block, bowled, played dominoes and go fish, went to the museum, had our hair glittered, went to the movie, raked the leaves, and slept. Whew - makes me tired writing about it.

Surprise blessings:
But in the midst of all that activity there were moments that just melted a grandmother's heart. Surprise blessings - too many to name, but here are a few of my favorites:

- My 9-year old grandson said he loved the Thanksgiving meal the most -we were
all together at one table.
- My nephew flew in from Alburquerque because he misses the family.
- My 85-year-old mother and 83-year-old aunt graced our table with memories of
our heritage.
- Watching my g'daughter's eyes at the beauty salon where she had a special
"glitter do".
- Listening to my 4 year old g'son say the blessing for my 2 year old g'son at
the kid's table.
- Saying prayers every night with each child thanking God for their unique
personalities and the blessing they are in my life.
- Having my two wonderful daughters-in-law who are such great cooks help.
- Watching my sons as they father and mentor their children.
- Taking the adults to an adult only dinner and sharing our lives with one another
- Thanking God that my 85 year old mother is so amazing that she babysat the three
oldest while we ate dinner.
- Watching my husband take the two middle grands to see Santa downtown.
- Seeing the youngest so excited to play with his cousins. His ability to keep up
was amazing.
- Playing Go fish with my four year old grandson.
- Raking leaves and sharing hearts with my nine year old in the back yard.

Yes, it was an amazing Thanksgiving. God was everywhere, and his blessings brought it all into perspective. My father who has been gone ten years and my uncle who passed away last December were sorely missed. So was my brother and his family and my cousin Susan and her family. But it is what it is.

Would I change a thing? Not on your life!