The View From My Fishbowl

This Thanksgiving was q.u.i.e.t. It was wonderful, actually. Sometimes I feel like we should just install a revolving door – there are always people coming and going and things happening. It’s fun and we’re used to it because that’s the way it’s always been…but it’s nice to just have a day off.

My mom still made a humongous meal for the four of us – a 17 lb turkey, gravy, rolls, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, stuffing, a fruit/pasta salad, and then pies. (I feel like I’m forgetting something…) It was quite a bit, but the leftovers are almost all gone. (Except the turkey…we didn’t eat quite that much! What was left of Mr. Tom was cooked into a huge pot of soup which will be perfect for the fellowship Sunday night.)

We lazed around for the afternoon, then Sam left for a football game. My mom and I played our annual game of Scrabble. She won by 30 points (I think). I watched Holiday Inn and attempted to knit some more on my scarf. (I’ll have to take a picture of it soon…I’m about two inches in and feel like I’m just crawling along!)

Friday was the big day of celebrating. It was my dad’s birthday (55!), so it was definitely time to celebrate. He chose a hamburger barbecue for his meal, so we fired up the grill! (We grill year-round…usually three or four days a week!) Seriously though…they were the best burgers I’ve had in a while. We had every topping imaginable for those patties. That, in addition to four different salads and a crock of baked beans made for a wonderful day-after Thanksgiving meal. For dessert, we had two chocolate pies, one pecan pie, and one pumpkin pie with lots of coffee, as well as a plate of different brownies. My brothers were there with their families, and a nearby aunt and uncle came with their kids. Again, the day was spent relaxing, but this time with lots of laughter and talking and kids running around. Surprisingly, the only one who napped was the baby.

We did not go Black Friday shopping. That really is not my idea of fun.

I did discover four monkeys in a tree…

Ack…these kids are so cute. They are so funny too! The best of friends…the worst of enemies. I know they are going to miss each other come February.

I really do have so much to be thankful for. All week long, this song has been running through my mind, so I type out the words in hopes that it will stop playing through my memory. Although maybe I do need to be constantly reminded of the truth behind it…

For making the sun to shine
Putting the stars in the sky
For flowers that bloom
Oceans so blue
Thank You, Lord

For the sparrows that sing
They make sweet melody
For rivers that flow
Rain and the snow
Thank You, Lord

I just want to thank You, Lord
I just want to thank You, Lord
For everything that You’ve done for me
Thank You, Lord

I just want to thank You, Lord
I just want to thank You, Lord
For making me whole
Saving my soul
Thank you, Lord

For my home and family
For the joys You’ve given me
Shoes on my feet
Plenty to eat
Thank You, Lord

For a church to worship and pray
For all the freedoms I have today
For Your Spirit I feel
Your Presence so real
Thank You, Lord

For being a Friend so dear
Giving my sad heart cheer
Holding my hand when I could not stand
Thank You, Lord

For giving Your life for me
On the cross of Calvary
For taking my place
For mercy and grace
Thank You, Lord

I just want to thank You, Lord
I just want to thank You, Lord
For everything that You’ve done for me
Thank You, Lord

I just want to thank You, Lord
I just want to thank You, Lord
For making me whole
Saving my soul
Thank you, Lord