We have now celebrated our first major holiday away from home. Thanksgiving. To be honest, I was concerned with how we would handle not being with our family, and going to the different family gatherings, experiencing another exciting Black Friday, the food, the games, and everything in between that takes place the week of Thanksgiving. We were able to Skype with part of our family Tuesday morning (their Monday night). For several years we have met at a Cracker Barrel that is halfway between us. Once we were able to log on, and saw the family sitting there and were able to see each of their individual faces, the reality hits. We are not at home. It was so good to "see" everyone, yet it made us miss them even more. I think we all fought the tears back while on video, but afterwards it was hard to keep them back.
This year the kids had asked me to make a dinner for just the five of us. This is the first time I have ever done that. They wanted me to cook some of their favorite things that we have every year. I did my best at finding the ingredients needed, some of which I had to improvise. We had roast, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, brownies with peanut butter in the middle, and chess squares. We went around the table and said the things that we were thankful for. It was a blessing to hear what the kids had to say. Some of the things they had to say, I was surprised at. I guess when you are away from family and the life you are accustomed to, you realize what is truly important. It was a great evening! We decided that no matter where we are or what plans for the holidays we have, we will continue the tradition of having dinner with just our family.
Two families that were getting together on Friday, as the kids had school on Thursday, invited us to join them. We headed over around 11 and stayed the majority of the day. We enjoyed our day greatly, but more so enjoy the friendships that are forming!
On Saturday, we were able to Skype with the other side of Billy's family. It was great to see everyone having fun and enjoying their time together. Thankfully, we had something to look forward to after talking to them! We traveled to a nearing city and went shopping! It was not quite like Black Friday, but it was shopping non the less. We were gone the entire day! It was great though! Despite being gone for so long, no one complained about anything!! Again, I think it was just a time to enjoy being with each other, and realize what is important. When we got home we were able to Skype with my family. It was a great end to the day!
Sunday, we joined several other families as they celebrated the holiday. We enjoyed a great big lunch filled with all sorts of favorites from the different families. There was conversation, games, and a bonus for Billy and the boys...Football!!! Someone had bought a weeks worth of games. They were able to watch the Lions and Packers. May I remind everyone that the Lions is Billy's favorite team!! Yes, they lost, but it was the point that they got to watch American football!!
At the end of the weekend, we could say that we had been carried through the holiday. Yes, there were tears and homesickness. But, there was also new beginnings. There was the reminder that He cares about every detail. He provided people for us to be with. He provided time for us to Skype with our families. He did not leave us alone during such a family oriented holiday. Most of all, He is what we are to be most thankful for. He is good all the time, all the time He is good!
