OF JOY AND THANKSGIVING!
My Thanksgiving post is a couple days late. I had to work both Thanksgiving and Black Friday with other chores to accomplish yesterday. So in the wee morning hours I am blogging my Thanksgivings.
First, I am grateful for my family. For the husband who loves me more than anything and is always there to comfort me and is so good with the knots in my back. And for the sweet little girl with the kind, loving, and helpful heart. You are my truest joy. I would be lost without you two. I love you so much.
I am grateful for loving and faithful parents who taught me the gospel and how to love unconditionally. They taught me how to make bread (not that I ever do it), and how to check
my oil. They gave me their time. I have so many fond memories of both my parents spending time with me, playing, reading, teaching by word and example. I was blessed with goodly parents.
I am grateful for my siblings. At 9 years old I thought I was destined to be an only child. But then these two came into our family and though I was older we 3 bonded and enjoy a close relationship to this day. My kindhearted brother was always there to listen and comfort. He helps without being asked, and though he works full time and is also going to school, he lovingly and playfully greets his daughters and wife when he comes home and helps out around the house.
I am grateful for Lalagene, my stepmom. She has
been such a support and friend in my life and was there for my dad after my mom died. I love her and appreciate her.
I am grateful for 5 years with my sister. I left home when she was little and we only got to see each other sporadically until she moved out here to get her masters degree. Though we are almost complete opposites with different tastes, opionions, and views, we enjoyed living together and having that time to really get to know each other. We taught each other things and bonded. I miss having her around.
I am grateful for David's parents, for the values, lessons, and life skills they taught him and for the love they shower on my daughter. They are good, simple people with country values. Now if I can just convince Pop Pop to leave some of the taxidermy behind when we all move. Ha Ha.
( I'm not kidding, there over 100 pieces, some full size, a mountain goat, ram, baby bear, bobcat, and the heads, many deer and one moose, as well as the full smaller birds and one fish. The man is very talented, if you have an appreciation for that kind of art.) Mom Mom loves to spoil both Miranda and the dog, both to excess. Sometimes I have to be the mom, which isn't too popular with any of them. But the woman is a powerhouse that never stops fussing and fixing while we are there. She has several medical conditions which cause her pain, but she doesn't slow down even when she should. She is stubborn but kindhearted. We love you Mom Mom and Pop Pop.
I am grateful for all the friends I have had in my life, the ones who led or followed me into wild adventures, for late night explorations of the meaning of life, for laughter and quiet moments of conversation, support, and friendship, and for girly lunches and shopping. For that strong shoulder to cry on when life got too much to handle. Some friends I am no longer in touch with, all I cherish both past and present, both related and not.
Not last and not least, but all I have time for on this post, I love my animals. Past and present. Thankyou for the unconditional love, for entertaining me, for curling up on my lap and comforting me when no one else is around. I cherish that bond and value it almost as much as human contact. In many ways it is simpler than trying to communicate with humans. But I'll take
THAT struggle with the joys as well.
One last thought. Take time to smell the roses, to notice and acknowledge a kids smile, to really taste and enjoy your food, to hear the wind in the trees, to notice and appreciate the small beauties all around you. And take the time to make and cherish the small moments with your kids, your spouse, your family and friends. Remember birthdays, send cards, make calls. (A goal I am trying to be better about). Love, tolerate, forgive, cherish.
Wishing all of you a very happy holiday season.
We met my friend Jessica, her husband Mangesh (Manny), and their beautiful little girl Layla Mungekar. Jessie is a dear old friend and my old roommate from Portland, OR. It was so nice that we both ended up on this end of the country close enough to see each other once in awhile.
Layla and Miranda became fast buddies and Layla followed Miranda all around the museum. Actually I guess Miranda did more of the following. Toddlers aren't known for long attention spans.
She was waving at her Daddy
The butterfly was my favorite piece of art. It was in the Alice in wonderland garden. 
Two cute.......
And here is Stewardess Barbie (no, not flight attendant Barbie. We didn't have those in the 60's)
