Thanksgiving with Family and Others

Oh I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. I did . My brother and his wife invited me to join them at Karen's sister; Denise's in laws . With the Hosts' ok first, of course. They always get together with Karen's parents, and her sister's family . Karen's brother- in- law's parents built a home in the same block as two of their four children, so it makes sense to have everyone gather there. Along with extended family. The house was planned for these family gathering and lucky me. I was asked to join them. I was pleased.

It had only been 18 days since the heart stents had been put in and truthfully I just wasn't feeling up for family and Thanksgiving. But my brother had taken me to the hospital and stayed with me and waited until I was back in the room. We didn't know , going in , if it would be stents or by pass open heart -so I was doing a little independent female " I can do this by myself "- which he ignored and stayed with me. I felt closer to my brother than I have in years and when he asked me to join them -I was touched and said yes. I was thankful.

It was very nice, food was great and healthy. This is a picture of my niece, Rachel (21) with her boyfriend in the background; and a plate of the Thanksgiving feast! They made me feel very welcomed. I usually help out in the kitchen , but this year I just didn't feel like it. Thankfully, there were plenty of helpers to go around. I was able to sneak away and call my Aunt, from one of the bedrooms. She usually invites this maiden lady to join her family and I was missing them. They passed the phone around and I was able to talk to a couple of cousins and hear all the family in the background. The rest of the day I spent on the couch, next to my brother watching football games and sleeping (well I was the one sleeping). I let myself feel very vulnerable and safe next to him that day. My immediate family took good care of me that afternoon. I was grateful.

The only down side was my missing niece, Heather(23) who now lives and works in Texas and wasn't able to make it North for the holiday. We will see her for Christmas and I will be able to find out how she enjoyed her first Thanksgiving away from family. I hope her man and his family made her feel as welcomed and safe as I was made to feel. Everyone really missed her. I am so proud of her, for following her dream. I am humbled.

There is no such thing as an unimportant act of Kindness. Which reminds me I have to get the Thank you card in the mail to my hostess. I am blessed.