Thanksgiving guests come and gone

When your family is coming for a visit it's so exciting to plan and prepare. Then they arrive! It's fun, exciting and exhausting. Everyone looks good, you see your growing grandchildren and you have a sudden fear that makes you wonder if you'll make it to the end of the visit with the ability to smile, think and move. You are also curious whether your home will remain standing when the visit is through. I expected to feel relieve (just a little) when everyone departed but I didn't. The house seemed empty; all the smiling and happy faces were gone and Dad & I were alone. It should not come as a surprise to parents that they love their children and families and enjoy their company but we both were surprised at our feelings of loss. Thanks for being willing to come and put up with everyone living on top of each other. Thanks for pitching in and helping with the cooking, cleaning, arranging, managing, talking, visiting, playing and loving and care taking of all the children, etc. It was a Thanksgiving of firsts; the very first time I didn't do the dishes and enjoyed a nap while my sons hand washed the china, goblets and silverware. I went to sleep listening to my boys talk and laugh together as they worked. Thanks for that lovely gift! And thank you all for the wonderful memories! I've still got the laundry piles as proof that you were here!

It was a great Thanksgiving and we are blessed!