Early THanksgiving Wishes

Let me start this post by sending out a warm hug to everyone, a warm and heartfelt wish for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Did you know that this is the most traveled holiday? Most people travel to "home" wherever that may be for them on this holiday. Interesting, huh?

We travel about 3 miles in the same town, from East West, to my In Laws home for the afternoon. We have done this since the second Thanksgiving as a married couple. Our first, I made the dinner, for 11 people, in a kitchen the size of a shoebox, with a table that stretched into the living room, but we all sat together, and were thankful for each other's company.

The holiday tradition began because I thought it was important to spend one holiday with one side of the family and one with the other side. After I began my journey into motherhood, I was stubborn, Christmas was done at my home, veryone could join us, I would cook, but not move my children from their Christmas tree and all of their gifts.

So, it was decided, Thanksgiving at Scott's parents, Christmas at our home, Easter at my Parents. That was a fair tradeoff, right? My mother always loved to cook the "big Meals" so, Easter, also a time to celebrate always was an insanely over done holiday at my home, growing up. So, it still was, until my Dad got sick and was in the hospital. My sister TC took over that year, and it wasn't as over done and food fest as at my mother's but it was a traditional meal.
This past year, I did Easter dinner, added the traditions that my Mom had added, a few Polish things and a ham. We had enough leftovers for me to make soup, and for Scott to have ham sandwiches for a good part of the week. I guess I over did it, but it was fun. My Mom enjoyed her dinner and we made her a plate to take home too.

Christmas is another story, I really overdo it, and I know it, but, always have, so it will be this year.

I am looking foward to Thanksgiving, and the gathering with Scott's side of the family, but it will also be a sad thing for me, knowing that my Mother is in the Nursing Home.

Don't get me wrong, I do understand that I have made the right decision, I am just feeling sad about her being there. I have gotten to know a good part of the staff, they are caring, wonderful people. I haven't met one yet who looks at the folks there as anything but dignified people who are there for reasons. There is nothing clinical about the way any of them are treated, not just my mom. I cunt my blessings on that one, I chose the right place. My mother is clean, well taken care of, talked to, her hand is held, she is fed by gentle people, and me, and her comfort is important to the folks there. That alone makes it easier to sleep at night. My children are allowed to visit at any time during visiting hours, and that brightens her time. She isn't always sure what time of day it is, she is blind, so that makes it confusing altogether, but her growing confusion helps that too.

SO for now, I will sign off, and probably not blog for the rest of the week. Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving to all of you who read this! Love those around you, enjoy their company, they could be gone in a fleeting second. Appreciate those who love you, hug them and kiss them often and with all the love you feel for them, it matters to them, it matters to you!