Turkey sandwiches

So, now it's ok in Kansas to utter two words in the same sentence if you are in school: creationism and evolution. I can't believe it. I don't agree with this; I agree with the chancellor at KU, that it's ok to study creationism, but IN RELIGION CLASS or PHILOSOPHY class. We are the laughing stock of the nation. Who are these bozos that get elected to the state board of education? Who are they? What the.....?

Beautiful fall day. Leaves falling. I just love fall. Love the colors of fall. I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is in, like two weeks. Thanksgiving. Here is what I like about Thanksgiving:

1. Leftovers

That would be about it. When I was little, I generally got the stomach flu on Thanksgiving, so, my angst regarding this holiday goes wayyyy back. What I want, and what I get, are in no way at all alike. I want the big, fat, juicy turkey, the beautiful Martha Stewart like table setting; the well groomed men gathered in the large family room, all wearing sweaters and watching football; I want us all to go out in front of the house, and toss a football around.... I want pie crust that is flaky, I want a touching prayer before dinner.

But, what I get....

Service for 20 in a house made for 8. Folding chairs, mis-matched dishes. A turkey that kind of falls apart when it's taken out of the oven. Sweat pouring down my back while I clean, yell, cry getting things ready so that there is an illusion that having dinner for 20 is 'no big deal'. Desserts that are sinful that lead us to the bathroom later; the rolls that are never warm when they hit the table. Lots and lots of ice water and pop. The furnace kicking in. The television volume getting higher and higher.... and, no Gordon.

Gordon hated Thanksgiving. I remember the days when we holidayed at his mom's house and then, our house. It was awful. Getting groups of people together, who really don't like one another, to share a meal. Is that what the first thanksgiving was like? Were there pilgrims that couldn't stand one another, seated across the table from one another? I bet there were.

And then, Christmas. We overdose on Christmas, just a second or two after the last group of pots and pans are washed, dried and put away.

So, that's the holiday. What I like are the sandwiches we'd fix, after the kids had gone to bed, and snuggling together in bed. "I love you, Rose". "I love you too, hon". And then, we'd eat our big turkey sandwiches and feel thankful for one another.

I am very thankful for so many things:

My son who is growing into being an outstanding man
My daughter, who is so sweet and funny
My dad, who I love so much
My sisters, who I feel connected to and love more than words can say
My friend, Diane who is like a sister to me
My friend, Jeff, who is like a brother to me
My friend, Becky, who is like a big sister to me
My church, which feels like home
My neighborhoor, which is home
My doctors and nurses
My friend, Lori, who has known me 30 years! She knows it ALL.
The Willmotts, the sweetest family I've ever known and who I love like my own
My kids' friends, who are great great friends. I love them for making my kids happy.
Leaves in the fall.
The sun in the sky
Fresh air
Music
God. All I have to do is look at a tree in the fall and know that there is a God. Perfection, for sure.

Now, if the state board of education decided that we needed to have our kids study what we should be thankful for, that we can see God in the shade of orange of a leaf, or, a pile of nuts gathered by a squirrel, or something like that, I would be ok with it. Isn't it possible that..... BOTH happened?

I feel good this week. I feel healthier than the week before. I sure am thankful for that. That is a relief. Waking up each morning, that is also something I am thankful for. And, as sad as I am, and, boy, I am sad, I am so thankful I got to love Gordon for 17 years. I sure hope he knew how much we loved him. I wish I could get a message from God that let me know that he knew that, and that he is ok now. Man, I'd pay big big money for a message like that.