Thanksgiving 2006

This was my second Thanksgiving spent with the Hastings in Seattle. I must say I enjoy it very much here. The scenery, the drippy weather and the Hastings... especially GG. Naarah and Jason are busier than ever, exhausted from work, but tolerate me sufficiently. I've enjoyed spending time with GG. I love holding her, smelling her and touching her soft skin and hair. I will miss her and my heart aches thinking of it. She has bonded with me too and it makes me wonder if babies don't have a kean spiritual sensitivity and can sense intense love. Or maybe I am just that charming? She has this fake whine... screws up her face and wales... it is obviously not real.
Well of course she loves me.
Our Thanksgiving started with going to what Naarah lovingly calls the Turks. Her Turkish friends. I made two pumpkin pies and brought them one for their dinner. Then we went to Matt and Brenda's, Jason's brother and sister in law. They made me feel welcome two years in a row. Matt fried two turkeys and Brenda made great corn bread stuffing. Ed and Pat were there glowing over their grandkids. Pat was bragging about her new found competitive swimming meets. Ed watched YUCK football. Kids ran in cirlces, GG was entertained. A nice day all in all. We all however sat down to dinner and forgot to pray. What is up with that? I didn't even think of it, just dug right in, dished right up. Dang. No contemplation over what we were thankful for, so I think I will do it now.

I am thankful for life, first of all. Each breath is a gift. Each healthy breath is an even biggger gift. I am thankful strong arms and legs, and lungs. I am thankful for the life Dennis and I have built, for our four daughters, for their choice of mates, I couldn't have chosen better. And for their offspring. I am thankful that my heart swells with love at the thought of each one.
I am thankful for friends, new and old. I am thankful for my work, my dad, my accomplishments, my friends, my employees, peers and mentors. I am thankful for past experiences that have made me who I am and future experiences which I look forward to. I am thankful for eternity, for which Christ paved the way.

My last night in Seattle we got a bb sitter and went to Salties on the port. We ate crab legs and steak. Jason picked out a great wine and even bought supper. I fully expected to buy but he beat me to the draw and I am no match for him.