What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. It started with Eric and Chandra coming in on Sunday from Eugene, then Bill and Sarah on Wednesday and Stacey and Mike arriving late and being there on Thursday. Ted and Kelli with our little Addi were there and cousin Don was there to deep fry the turkey. Evan and Kelli, Phil, Christie and my buddies were all there to celebrate. We missed our Meghan, but know that she was with her mom and grandma, who also needed her. We gave Mom her Christmas present early - a new 47" tv with a new cabinet to go with it. She cried. She loved it. She said that it was exactly what Dad wanted. Every year Dad found something special that they needed. He got it and that was their Christmas present to each other. I told Mom that because Dad told us to take care of her, that this was his gift to her as well as ours. Phil got it all set up on Wednesday night so that we were ready for T-day football games. She has commented every day how she loves it. I know that is because it is what Dad would have done, and the security she feels in that.
I know we all have to move forward, but this is going to be our first set of holidays without my Dad. I want my life to be reflective of what Dad wanted for me and I want our holidays to be the same. Dad said to me in regard to exchanging Christmas gifts, "We all take (a certain amount of $$) and spend it on each other in exchange for the same ($$) we receive. Why don't we just put that $$ back in our pocket and just focus on our time together?"
It's something to consider. I know we like the surprise and the fun of surprising with our gifts. But those gifts are just things. We need instead to be genuine and loving, doing for each other in ways that are the most meaningful.
I am thankful for my life with my Dad. I love him with all my heart and will hold him close and dear to me forever. I am also thankful for Marv and for my brothers and my Mom and my kids and their wonderful spouses. I am thankful for my really wonderful friends who have been the source of so much support and joy.
With tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, I say I love you all.
Go Ducks!
11 years ago