For My Mom on Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING - 2009

What Thanksgiving means to me. . .

Growing up in a non practicing religious family, Thanksgiving was our "BIG" holiday. Now, I didn't grow up with a big immediate family, I have my folks and my brother. But we have a large extended family, lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. Our extended family tried each year to get together on Turkey Day. Whether it was at Aunt Marcella's in Twain Harte, Cousin Marianne's in Pacifica, or Aunt Lovie & Uncle Dave's ( My Folks ) in Half Moon Bay, Oakhurst, Grass Valley, or Nipomo - - hey, why did my family move so much !! Another story for another day. . .

Over the years, the tradition has carried on, somethings the holiday gathers 25 people, other times 100 people. Depends on the year, the location, the economy, the illness (unfortunately), and other circumstances like births, marriages, divorces. And as my Aunts and other relatives are getting older, it is getting harder to travel. But overall, it is a great time for family to get together !!

This year, my cousin Rachel is getting married in Mexico next week, and lots of family are traveling to see her become Mrs. Serano. I unfortunately, will not be able to attend, as a small little event called the NV State Championship Swim Meet will be happening at the same time !!! But what that means is, no one in the family really wants to travel anywhere - or can afford to travel - because they are all traveling next week. . . . .

So the Dozier extended family is not gathering this year . . . I am sad !! Because in addition to that, the Sauerbrei's will not be traveling either. My good friend Gini, who I wrote about a few posts ago, asked awhile ago if it would be cool that a few friends got together and shared Thanksgiving and could be "thankful" for friends. I said You Betcha !!! See, she will be moving soon and we just wanted to share one more day laughing and smiling !!! A lot has happened since she asked that, and I think it is more important than ever that this day be filled with just that. . . love and laughter !!!!

But that brings me back to MY family. . . who I love so much !!! The ones that are going to be here after my friend leaves. Mom, thank you for understanding . . . thank you for sharing today. . . that you for driving over next week to see Michael Phelps and Dana Torres - - I mean Sammy and Abby - - swim in the State Meet . . . thank you for understand my brother's wife is, well my brothers wife . . . thank you for teaching me "Grandma Harley's Sage and Wild Rice Stuffing" so that I never feel far away on holidays and You Betcha I am making it today, even with a Jewish family (half won't have sausage) . . . thank you to my Dad, Ol' Slo Dave, who will be there today for my mom as she sheds a tear . . . please love her today more than usual . . . she has a big heart, sometimes just is afraid to show it . . . I am thankful my mom now has 4 crazy kittens that she can chase around all day and keep her mind occupied . . . THANK YOU MOM, for letting my have this one Turkey Day, with a friend, a fried who loves your daughter for who she is - - flaws and all, who loves your grandkids, who I entrust with your grandkids, who screams at the top of her lungs for your grandkids and is the first one to go up to your grandkids when they have had an awesome race and say "great swim" and wink a wink that only the kids understand - - Mom, I may never see this friend again, I may never talk to this friend again, but I will always love this friend, I will always cheerish this friend, and Mom, you taught me how to do that . . . THANK YOU !!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone - - - Love, Laughter and not too much pumpkin pie !!!

Life is Good . . . .