Thankful

Here we are together - Madison's adopted family:  parents, grandparents, a great-grandparent and a dog.   Thanksgiving is such a holiday that it brings entire families together that way.  Aunt Shain and her family were with her in-laws in Florida this week, and probably a lot warmer.  And safer.  For one thing, the temperature today made for the coldest Thanksgiving since 1911.  The other thing was the "outbreak."  It started with Daddy at roughly 2 am.  It was some sort of stomach flu that turned to fever that turned to exhaustion and sore bones and muscles.

But we were blessed things happened as they did.  Despite the fever, Daddy was able to enjoy everyone's company for a very pleasant afternoon.  Mommy was masterful as always with the turkey - and gluten-free gravy this time around.  Nana and Ye-Ye came with stuffing, pie and ice - and one great grandmother too.  We might not have had to worry about asking them to bring ice, as all we probably had to do is put water in ice trays out on the back porch.  It would have frozen, easily.

But it was warm inside.  Cooking a turkey for such a prolonged time in that kitchen does that.  It was nice and toasty inside, even more warm with family all around.  Everything was set at the long table, and after a prayer of thanks, we loaded up the plates once more.

It was a perfectly nice Thanksgiving.  It started out with all of us watching the parade, catching Cirque du Soleil and Mickey Mouse.  And it continued through the most epic meal of the year, cooked by Daddy's favorite chef.  Family talked and shared and laughed, and then ate some more when it was time for pumpkin pie.  Madison was pretty excited the entire day - despite a persistent cough.  She was playful with all the grandparents, quite giddy that everyone was here.

After everyone was gone, we watched "Miracle on 34th Street" once again, and were preparing for bed.  Daddy was getting a bit better, but that's just about when two more of us fell victim to this plague.  Mommy and Nana Green both started showing worse symptoms, which made for a long night.  Sometimes it just happens. And it's easy to look at the bad, but looking back on this day, we refuse to see a holiday spoiled.  The timing of all of it was perfect in that we could relax and enjoy each other's company, and the following day - Black Friday - is an off day for all of us.  So there's an opportunity for rest, relaxation and recovery.  And the other positively wonderful thing to be incredibly grateful about:  Madison was protected - shielded - from this dreadful virus.  It was a nasty bug, and even though she was coughing on and off throughout the day, she never clenched her stomach or ran to the bathroom with nausea.

And, of course, beyond that there is plenty more to be thankful for.