A Month of Thanksgiving - November 26, 2020

 Today was Thanksgiving and it was just different.

I awoke uneasily this morning.  I was in a bad mood. I wanted to cry.  No, I did cry.  Several times.

But I finally got in the shower, washed my hair, got dressed, and felt better.  I am not sure why mornings have been so hard for me lately, but they have been, and I want that to stop.

All of the emotions of Thanksgiving were running rampant today.

Joy for the holiday-- it is my favorite one.

Sorrow because we couldn't get together like we always do.

Frustration because we couldn't get together like we always do.

More frustration during the family zoom because it seemed like part of the family was doing just fine celebrating with each other while our branch of the family tree was quarantined, either by choice or by necessity.

But I neglect always to count my blessings and focus on the positive, so here goes.

Gary and I felt better today  (after my crying this morning) than we have in three weeks.  More energy.   Better appetite.  I could smell!   And I wasn't as tired out as I have been.

We had a great meal from Bob Evans.  We started with cheese ball (thank, Megan) and a small relish tray.  We added in a glass of wine that we had bought from the winery at Remington just a day before my first symptoms occurred.  

We filled out plates (the good stuff we use for Thanksgiving dinners usually) with turkey, dressing, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy and heated it all in the microwave.  I set the table with good placemats and used Thanksgiving napkins.  I pulled out some of the good glasses for iced water.  We sat at the table, looking out over the back yard and the barn and remembered how thankful we were to live here with plenty of room for everyone in the family to celebrate these holidays.

Watching the Macy's Parade should have been a treat, but it was just sad.  No crowds along the street.  Pregnant pauses after  segments of the parade were shown.  Al Roker walking down the sidewalks and no one else there. Taped segments that belied the festivities of the holidays.  Just disappointing.  My favorite things?  The giant turkey above the doors at Macy's.  The  presentation of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by one of the ballerinas.  The Rockettes and their wooden soldiers routine.  The final float with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

A highlight of the afternoon was seeing Landon and Tessa and Owen, and getting hugs from Landon and Tessa.   Then they were in trouble for coming in the house.  I know we were sick.  I know we had been contagious.  But my quarantine days are over and Gary's are too now.  I understand the caution, but it hurt to hear them being disciplined by their parents just because we needed some hugs. I hate it that Owen wants to come in SO badly and can't and he really doesn't understand why.

Bob Evans food was really good, so we are thankful for that.  We have SO much food, and it was really delicious.  The turkey was tender and moist.  The dressing was excellent.  I loved the mashed potatoes and gravy.  Even the corn and the green beans tasted better than what I usually make.  Even though pumpkin pie is not my favorite and I usually don't eat it on Thanksgiving, it did taste exceptionally good, and the nutmeg was just right! Of course Grandma Greta's cranberry salad was just the right touch too!  We even finished the first bowl and I made a second one to take its place so we would have more for the weekend.

Online ordering completed our tasks for the day.  I am trying hard NOT to have a need to shop in a store during the Christmas season.  I know that will be difficult, but I am checking for many things online and if we do need to step foot into a building with other shoppers, I am hoping it can be early in the morning.

We have a warm house to live in.  We have plenty of food for several more meals of turkey and dressing.  Our health is improving.  We are thankful.

Little blips in the road.  That's all.  We will continue to be careful when we go out.  We will continue to wear our masks and sanitize.  But I can't be scared, and I am afraid I will be---too much.

Thankful that God is wrapping His arms around us in protection and keeping us safe and healthy.

Happy Thanksgiving.  We are blessed.