Thanksgiving 2019 is going to be a little different. I’ve been blessed my whole life that Thanksgiving has always been special. Sometimes it has been with lots of people and happy noises and other times quiet. In recent years it has been on the smaller side of things.
These two, the world’s greatest MIL and my wife get all the food going. Except I smoke the chicken, turkey, ribs or whatever. That’s a hard job. The hardest part is to not drink so much beer that you forget what you are doing.
And Logan, the brains of the bunch, or so he says.
This lady, my partner in life. The one who keeps me going. Heather is the uber networker. She knows everybody, if she doesn’t know the right person, she knows who to call. She can gather information and resources like nobody’s business.
This year, brother Bob has fallen ill. Runner of 26 marathons and numerous lesser distances and probably the toughest person I know, by far, has a serious illness where he can’t walk a foot without support. I think he is going to be okay but it is going to take some time. My sister and I are trying to figure it out all out. Bob has been a part of our Thanksgiving for years. He loves good food and we are the place for that.
So this year Bob and I are having a branch Thanksgiving at his hospital in Memphis. Don’t feel sorry for me, yes I will miss everybody but I am thankful that I have my brother. I am thankful for all the hospitals, nurses, nurses aides, cleaning people, food service techs, and doctors who have a part in getting him to where he is now. Many of those people will be working on Thanksgiving, away from their families, ministering to people like my brother. He’s had a lot of tough therapy and despite his losses and despite the hard therapy, he never complains, he just takes it as it comes.
I am also thankful for his co-workers and friends. Bob is now a Navy civilian employee and most of his coworkers are ex-military as well. There is a fierce loyalty and concern there that I don’t think lifelong civilians can really know.
And my sister, Ellen, fellow blogger, retired IT executive, seasonal Yellowstone Park Ranger, and all around great person who always seems to know what to do. She spent three weeks with Bob and left a few days ago to get some R&R and spend some with her family.
So yes, Thanksgiving will be a little different this year but I think that I have more to be thankful for than ever.
I hope you and your families have a great Thanksgiving. Lets remember those who have to work or otherwise cannot spend their days with family.
It sounds like your brother will have a long road to recovery, but at least he is on the road. I think in times of trouble we most realize all the blessings that we do have. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving; it’s not the location but the people that are important!
At this point in time you are where you need to be. Speaking from our own life experiences you are where you should be and I know your sweet family are behind you 100 percent. I wish you all a very blessed Thanksgiving, your brother also and I am still in his corner sending all kinds of healing energies, thoughts and prayers. Sounds like you have a great family support system, a lot to be thankful for at such a time..
Sounds like you have a very wonderful family full of love and support for each other! I hope you all have a very Blessed Thanksgiving and I will keep your brother, and the rest of you in my prayers.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Thank you for hosting Skywatch! Enjoy your day, wishing you a great weekend!
That’s a great thing your doing for your brother, and be there for him today! Family is everything, the good and the bad. Happy to notice you embrace both:):) Happy Thanksgiving, Alan!
Family is really what life is all about. Sending prayers for your brother and family. Happy Thanksgiving!
Good shots.
You are, indeed, blessed with a lovely and devoted family and sharing in the healing process of your brother ~ I give thanks for knowing you in blogland ~ and send lots of healing energy hugs to your brother and all ~
Happy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
You have a great attitude ad outlook on life, Alan. We’re trying something new this year… going out to a restaurant for their Thanksgiving special. Simple and yummy, but you remind me to be thankful for all those people who have to work and have other obligations today, including those restaurant workers that will be making my family dinner possible!
No matter the size, blessings of good health and sharing time with family, just the best. Wishing you and family many good days ahead.
I will be praying for your family. This is the first year that my wife and I will spend Thanksgiving alone. Our daughter’s family will be at the other in-laws this year, so we had a quiet but very nice dinner. The times are changing and the family is beginning to disperse. We just have to make adjustments.
Beautiful post and pics.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Greetings.
I am thankful you’re spending Thanksgiving with your brother. May healing continue.
Thank you for introducing your family members to us. You are indeed blessed with wonderful and beautiful people. Though this Thanksgiving is a bit different but I think it is meaningful to your bro Bob . He is blessed to have you spend Thanksgiving with him in hospital and for you both to be spending time with each other. Have a blessed weekend.
So glad you’re keeping a thankful heart, especially in these tough times.
Love this very personal post of yours, Yogi. The holidays are all about family. Glad you were able to spend Thanksgiving with your brother.
Glad you had a wonderful day. May there be many more.
This post is the true meaning of thankfulness. Some of us go through the thankfulness motions; you are living it every minute. Thank you for taking us into your most personal of worlds, your family.
Sending thoughts and prayers your way……
Glad your thanksgiving went well, us girls seem to be good at networking. Thinking of your brother too.
I’m glad you have a great family, and everyone is supporting Bob in his hour of need. Best wishes to him on a low-pain recovery. Have a good weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving and many beautiful skies ahead.
It looks like you had nice family time. Luckily, I wasn’t alone. I had a friend visit me in Florida over the Holiday.
This really is a lovely post Alan… a reminder of what life is all about really. And to be thankful for those who work on holidays. Very best wishes for your brother. I’m glad you are able to be there for him.