A Special Day

Greetings Fellow Travelers...

This Thanksgiving was truly a Red Letter Day in my life. First of all, I had the day off. It seems that for one reason or another I have had to work every 4 th Thursday in November for the past several years.

But not this one.

My wife and I traveled the short distance to my oldest son's house. He had been up for many hours smoking two turkeys that looked more like condors, judging by their size. My youngest son, stepson and step daughter were with us.

The one person I knew who would have the desire and the ability to ruin the entire day decided to leave before we got there. What a blessing!

The day was filled with great food, great company and the presence of my children whom I have not had much visitation with the past couple of years. It was as if the painful events suffered by all had melted away. We were introduced to the family dogs, chickens, cat, parrot and renewed old acquaintances with the lizard and the fishes. The parrot was especially entertaining. He walked across my arm and stood on my shoulder making monster noises in my ear. Let me tell you, you haven't lived until a large mostly green but multicolored bird goes "AGH AGH AGH!!!!" in your ear.

Our meal was topped off with a viewing of my sons stepdaughters play, a way off Broadway, high school not-so-musical; a rendering of a Edgar Allen Poe story, one I was not familiar with, and I thought myself an expert. The turkey was working its magic already and eyelids were drooping.

As we prepared to leave we were laden with more food than we could hardly carry. The turkey was absolutely delicious-- even hours later-- juicy and tender enough to be cut with a fork. Someone really taught that young man how to smoke a turkey. Who was that guy, anyway? Obviously a genius of some kind.

After the turkey fairy had sprinkled sleeping dust in all our eyes we decided to leave for the house, but not before many hugs and "I love yous," and thoughts expressed in anticipation of the Christmas gathering. How blessed can one man be?

I don't think I stopped smiling until the next day when I had to ready myself for the 2.5 hour trip to my job. The smile returned every time my mind took me back to that beautiful, awesome, loving, nurturing, healing and profoundly enjoyable day, spent with the most important people in my life.

My smile continued as the miles ticked away, as I contemplated the great miracles I have seen lately, and the amazing opportunities presented, though never even hoped-for.

I hope your Thanksgiving was as nice. I know you'll forgive me if I stop writing and thank the One responsible.