11/25/08

 

 

Thanksgiving 2002 - He was a Poolee - About 24 around the table, a few more showed up for dessert... "Better fill up on turkey and stuffing - no telling where you'll be next year, Bud."

 

Thanksgiving 2003 - He was a Lance Corporal stationed on the Left Coast. "Hi Mom. "Hey Sweetie, we miss you!" "Yeah..." "I'm going to pass the phone around the table so everyone can say hello..." 22 people later... "What are you doing for Thanksgivng?" "The Sergeant's having a bunch of us over. Can I have your spinach dip recipe? His wife said she would make it for me." (Whoever the Sgt's wife is, she will always have a place in my heart. I'm thankful for the "Adopted Moms".)

 

October 2004 - He was in Fallujah. "Okay Mom..." (me talking to myself - I'd been doing that alot lately.) "Let's make up an awesome Turkey Day care package for him and his buddies..." "Oh man I hate it when this happens, where the heck is my kleenex when I need it?" (Finding Dinty Moore turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes microwavable meals in Walmart will do that to you... bought 9 of them.) Two huge boxes with everything from appetizers to table decorations and $75.00 later for the postage (before flat rates), they had a feast on the way. (I'm thankful we could afford it.)

 

Early November 2004 - An email... "I just want you to know I love you and I might not get to talk to you again until I get home. They are shutting down the computers. I love you Mom. You're best. I love you.*hugs*"

 

Family meeting a few days later - "What do you all want to do this Thanksgiving? "It just doesn't feel right without him being here." "No, it doesn't, does it?" "Okay, you spend it with your friends and we'll spend it with our friends." Plans are made to go away. (Phantom Fury - Dark Days...)

 

Thanksgiving 2004 - Cell phone on 24/7. I will always be grateful to Pam and Gary for sharing their Thanksgiving with us. It didn't feel right though, with all of us split apart. (I'm thankful for friends like them and for the phone call later in December. "HEY BUD! I didn't think I'd hear from you until January!")

 

Thanksgiving 2005 - He was a Corporal. Another package sent to the sandbox. Another  phone call from far away, "I love you, Mom." I don't remember what we did that year, I think we went someplace else. (I'm thankful for the family who called and asked about him and thankful for my Marine Moms and Dads - we held each other up.)

 

Thanksgiving 2006 - Phone rings. "HEY BUD!!! Where are you???" "We're on the way to visit her Grandparents in Arizona, stuck in traffic. I'm sorry we couldn't come home for Thanksgiving, Mom. Plane tickets and all, we couldn't afford it..." "Hon, you are on U.S. soil and that's all that matters!!! You'll be with family, enjoy every second and we will see each other soon." I love you, Mom." "I love you too, Son." ( I am thankful he was happy, I was thankful he was with his sweetie, I was thankful they had a place with family to visit that day, and thankful he was  "home" with all  his fingers and toes.)

 

Thanksgiving  2007 - We were all very thankful - together again, this time just the immediate family - special time - just us, our kids, their sweeties, and a friend of my daughter's who calls me "Mom". Grandmom's special china and MomMom's pie crust recipe.

 

Memories of those not with us any longer.

 

If your family is far apart, may you have a special phone call and may the line be clear and static-free with no disconnections. Or a special email to wake up to in the morning from your loved one. Or the IM alarm goes off for you from that special someone.  

 

If you are far away from home, please know that you are loved and that there are many prayers and good energy being sent your way from people you will never know.

 

 

Thanksgving 2008 - He's a Sergeant in the IRR and Thanksgiving is a few days away as I write this..

 

I hear there's been Stork Sightings in the area... stayed tuned... ;)  It may be a little too soon... but... I'm tickled! :D