Thanksgiving Vacation

by Marianna Bailey

I got to visit my family for Thanksgiving. There was a time in my life where that didn't mean a lot, it just "was". That time was a LONG time ago though, and now whenever I can visit with my family, it means a great deal to me. We even did the un-imagineable: we let Ryan go too! He drives almost 2 hours to our house just to get into my car and ride another 5 hours (or more if we count the stops along the way). I didn't hear any complaining though....

We got to TN and stopped by Walmart to pick up a few things we needed (like pants that FIT and ingredients for food the next day). Strangely enough, every one of us went in a different direction! I got what I needed and headed towards the others. I walked through the aisle with Hallmark Cards in it, and met a guy who talked in a low voice to a girl who was already there. She started yelling at him, saying something like "I told you not to come over here near me!" I thought she just didn't want him to see she was picking out a card for him, so I kept on moving - not my business. All the sudden there are store employees with radios racing around me and voices over the intercom system and then EMTs and who knows who all...that same guy and girl had gotten in a fight. One of them pulled a knife and the girl ended up in the floor bleeding. Seriously....never try to get a sneak peak of a girl when she's shopping for you!

The next day we go to Catherine & Dave's house for dinner. Mama had baked a pea picking cake, and that is among my favorite cakes. We had sampled the frosting before leaving for Catherine's, so we KNEW it was good. Lee carried the cake with her...I guess they thought it was in danger otherwise. Lee was put in charge of taking care of the cake...and would be held responsible. Not long after Lee left, I left with my family and arrived at Catherine's before Mama did. The cake was vulnerable! Lee and I had a playful scuffle-- I won --and the cake was marked.

The dinner was fabulous...the company was fabulous-er.

...no matter what they might think! And all the little cousins got to know each other over a terrific pile of leaves.

Even Uncle Bob (Dave's brother) thought the leaf pile was awesome.


I must admit, not everybody was happy the whole time...

...but the majority had a blast.

All in all, we had great food,...

... great fun,...

...great family,...






...great presents,...

...great music, .....

...great memories...

...and great reminders...

Thanks to great parents who created this great family.