Friday, November 26, 2010

Miles of Smiles

If there is one way I will remember this Thanksgiving Day, it will be the beautiful smiles on the faces of those I love most...my family.  Joe and I were the last to arrive at my sister's house in Maryland today.  In fact, by the time we arrived (one hour before the anticipated dinner hour) the good cheer, stories, laughter and mile-wide smiles were in full swing.

Judy and Joe Arrive -- Greeting Tim

Lynne
Sisters -- Heather and Jillian
Chris and Kendra

I asked my niece, Alicia, how the "first annual turkey run" had gone, since it was my understanding this was to be the start of a new tradition for the family.  I had to laugh when she informed me it never happened, because,  "they all got interested in cutting down this big tree and now they are too tired to run."  I learned more about the tree-felling story later, and, though I am not completely clear on the details, it seems there was a dead cedar tree which, the family consensus deemed, was time to fell.  My brother Dan apparently cut the tree, and ALL of them helped try to bring the tree down.  I imagine they were eventually successful, though I never went out to see the now-fabled tree. I'm sure we will hear again the stories of my two nieces, assuring my brother and others that they were in no danger being in the path of the falling tree as they positioned themselves for a decent photo-op, and how my brother was insistent the tree WOULD indeed fall on them if they did not move....  all I know for sure is, the tree fell as Dan predicted it would and nobody was hurt.

My sister Jeannie and my sister-in-law Michelle carved the turkey and they, with the help of several of the "kids" (this is the first year that EVERYONE at the table was over 21) delivered all of the food to the table.  When the call went up that dinner was served, none of the 19 of us needed to be told twice.

Michelle and Jeannie, Consulting on the Bird Carving
Food to Table

We all made our way to the table, selecting our seats without any squabble, and awaited grace.  My niece, Alicia, offered the prayer of Thanksgiving this year, and then the clockwise food progression began... well, mostly clockwise... there are, apparently, a couple of definitions of "clockwise" because I was being delivered bowls of tasty goods from both directions, but I assure you, I did NOT complain.

Thanksgiving Dinner
Good Family, Good Food, Good Fun

The food was all good.  The conversations were fun and entertaining, but did not interfere with our successfully filling our bellies to that point just a wee bit beyond comfortable.  And when we'd finished eating, we talked some more, laughed some more, told more stories, groaned at Dad's (bad) puns, and generally had a good time.  There were the typical "after huge dinner" activities....

  • massages,

Alicia Giving Jillian a Massage
Dan, Massaging Michelle's Shoulders

  • book give-aways,
Jeannie Hands Out Books

  • dancing with the battery operated stuffed turkey,

Turkey

  • the traditional family game of GOOF,


and more.  Before we knew it, it was time for desert and we started, once again, down that path of "eat 'til you bust."  I, personally, tried a little of EVERYTHING served, and to be honest I still cannot recall the names of some of the deserts I tasted... I DO know, they were all delicious!

Finally, with a three hour drive ahead of us, we said goodbye to all and there were hugs all around. 19 people each hugging 18 other people is an amazing sort of "hug fest."  Without a doubt, my nephew Richard holds the first prize for the biggest, "bust your rib cage" hugs!  Always makes me laugh.

Richard... Champion Hugger

Three hours later, Joe and I rolled into our driveway.  As we relaxed from a lovely Thanksgiving celebration, we looked at the 300 photos we'd taken.  Smiles, miles and miles of smiles.... smiles from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Missouri, and Virginia....  the only smiles missing were of my brother and his family in California.... they could not join us this year, but we did a short "group" phone call ... so at least we got to "hear" their smiles.

Alicia and Jillian
Benoit and Dan
Pile O' Cousins
Dan, Joe, and Tim
Jodi, Mike, Kendra, Chris and Alicia

Yes, it is the everyday things for which I am most thankful. The hugs, the crazy stories, the comfortable "togetherness."  But above all... those smiles.

Jenn and Alicia

Jenn and Heather
Miles of Smiles



8 comments:

mixednut555 said...

Beautiful. :)

WV: frablepo

Sharon said...

Brings back fond memories! Now my family is so scattered and the married ones go to their spouses family dinners.
Son did show up for a burger, but was between friends houses (we were on the way). No hugs, as DH and I are both dripping and coughing, was one quiet day. We usually (for the past 4-5 yrs) go to a restaurant. One year we did go to one of the boy's homes, it was mayhem.

Long ride, but seems you all had a great time! You guys do the same thing for Christmas?

aswesow said...

:)

Nekkid Chicken said...

AWESOME!

I can't imagine such a full table anymore. There were only five of us though. WOW just looking again. Who did the dishes????

Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.

Judy's Corner said...

Thanks Kat... it was a really nice day. And Joe did all the driving which made it even better! LOL

Judy's Corner said...

Sharon,
We usually get together as many of us as can make the trip at one of our houses. We don't take turns, per se... it's always just one of us says, "hey, I'm thinking Thanksgiving at my house this year..." and we all get busy planning what we will bring to the feast. Last year we were in PA, the year before we were at my Dad's in MD, and this year was my sister's in MD. Actually, I think the last year I hosted the feast was WAY back in maybe 1994 or something... at any rate... looks as if I maybe should volunteer for next year! We shall see.

Hope the hamburger was at least a good one and that you and DH are feeling better!

Judy's Corner said...

aswe! Thanks for the Canadian smile!!!

Judy's Corner said...

Mal,

To be honest, I think the dishes this year were mainly knocked out by my sister and my sister-in-law. Usually, everyone just pitches in after the meal and cleans up, but I noticed a few of us made ourselves scare during the work part!

And thank you, happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.