Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A season for everything...

I love Thanksgiving. Even here in the desert, the sky looks like winter. The sun has hidden behind some clouds -- a rare occurrence here -- and the temperatures have dropped below 80 for the first time all season. I am anticipating gathering my sweet crew around me tomorrow, stuffing their bellies full of turkey, cornbread dressing, and pies. So many pies! (Because heaven forbid they all have the SAME favorite!)

The weekend is special for several reasons: First, my brother, Talley, celebrates his birth today! I was in first-grade when Talley was born and loved the attention his birth drew! My teacher used the occasion for our sentence-of-the-day: "Today, Carol has a new baby brother." And me and all my fellow-six-year-olds practiced our penmanship while celebrating the arrival of my first sibling! So, Happy Birthday, my dear brother! We can't wait to see you and sweet Sarah in a few weeks!!

And though this isn't actually the date...it was the day before Thanksgiving TWELVE years ago, that a shocked doctor turned an ultrasound screen around to face Wade and I as she held up THREE fingers! Poor Wade was half-way through his Thanksgiving dinner (the next day) before he finally spoke again...looking up at me to say, "They won't all fit in our car. They won't." (But they did...because with a good tape measure, and two persistent shoppers, you CAN find three car seats to fit across the backseat of a Honda Civic. Just so you know.)

And because my heart will never let go of this...it was 15 years ago this weekend, that my sweet Daddy went home to be with God. He fought a courageous battle with cancer for two years, not because he didn't know he was ready for heaven, but because his sweet heart knew how much we needed him here. And still do.

So this is a weekend of many emotions. A weekend of sadness. A weekend of joy. A weekend of celebrations. And above all...a weekend of gratitude. Because our God is just as good...just as faithful...just as loving...in death as he is in life. And so for all these things...and for you, my dear friends, I am thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

I remember 15 years ago and how strong you were despite your grief. I remember news of the triplets and visiting you all in Chicago - how weary you both were and I was no help at all. I can't speak for Talley's birth celebration 'cause I didn't know you then but Talley is lucky to have such an awesome sister! I hope your Thanksgiving was as great as you are, friend.