Thanks in the Dining Room & in the Heart
by Sharon Randall
"We're having Thanksgiving dinner at home again this year. I guess I can't complain. Three turkeys in 28 years of marriage doesn't exactly make me a martyr. The first time I hosted the annual family feeding frenzy was so long ago I can barely recall it now. Except when I hear a smoke alarm; then I recall it clear as a bell.
My family remembers it too it seems, because since then we've had Thanksgiving dinner anywhere but here. However last year things changed. Funny, isn't it? We like to think that family is a constant, a kind of rock that never changes. But even rocks can change, given enough time, enough pressure. Families change too, over time, and under pressure. They recreate themselves every day. A birth, a death, a marriage, a divorce, a move to another city. The changes may be good or bad; makes no difference, really. What matters is what we do with them.
It's good to remember who we were and where we came from. But it's better to know who we are and where we're going. We need to talk less about how things used to be, and more about how they are. We did that last year, my husband and I took a look at our family and decided the traditions that had served us so well for so long no longer seemed to fit. It had been a rugged year, dealing a series of blows that struck us individually and as a family. My mother died. My father-in-law had to be placed in a rest home. And my husband had yet another surgery for cancer, only to be told a few months later that the disease had spread to his liver.
So when it came time to plan Thanksgiving we took a family vote and I lost - 4 to 1 - meaning I had to stay home and cook. It wasn't bad, really. We invited some friends - who are like family - except they help. We all said, "Best Thanksgiving ever." Nobody said, "Best turkey ever," but I take compliments where I can get them. So we're going to do it again this year. We invited the same friends and they accepted. I took that as a compliment, too. And my sister is coming from South Carolina. Her children are all grown and if she stayed home they'd expect her to cook, she said. I'll wait until she gets off the plane to tell her about my plan.
On Thanksgiving day, while she wrestles the turkey, I will set two tables - one in my dining room, the other in my heart. And I will seat, in fact or in spirit, all the people I've known and loved. No, I won't be feeding them all. But I will be thankful for them. It will be the best Thanksgiving ever. Because now is the only time that counts. Who can say what another year will bring? I wish you your best Thanksgiving ever. It's the only one that counts."
I copied this from a daughter-in-law of a dear friend who passed away this year. Certainly a tear jerker but so true! Happy Thanksgiving to all.
My Dad, Richard E Winter
The Northern group of maids!
We are so proud to announce that Shaw n graduated from University of South Carolina on May 9th. We were there to share in their celebration with his family and friends. Best of all he already has a job. Phyiscal Education teacher at an elementary school. Bad news he starts on Tuesday after the wedding!
On Sunday March 15th the Space Shuttle Discovery Lifted off from Kennedy Space Center. We all went down to the beach to watch. It was a cool very breezy evening with the sun setting. And then the it appeared! What a feeling to see the large glowing figure rise in the sky. We watch for about 10 minutes and then definitely saw the fuel tanks separate from the shuttle. Everyone was clapping and yelling. Old and young truly mesmerized! Another little joy we get to enjoy here in paradise!
To all my friends I apologize for not having any posts the entire month of January. It was definitely a busy month. Three Wright family birthdays: Makayla 6. Nick 30, and Lily 3! They came the week before and Emily had a surprise party for Nick. You have to understand that Nick hasn't been surprised about anything since he was born! She pulled it off and he was truly surprised. We had an early party for Makayla and Lily with Aunt Shannon. Our girls our getting big. The month was taken up by undecorating ( yes I took everything down this year!). Dick and I had dentist, dr. and appointments that needed to be taken care of before we left town. Dick was going to physical therapy for his "tennis elbow" didn't seem to help but low and behold now that he is not at home it feels better! Hum, I wonder why :) Of course I had many meetings for the Auxiliary and the Gift Shop. We all needed to coordinate who was leaving town and who had to cover for who. Many exciting things going on with the shop! New items have been well recieved. We have had 2 over $1000.00 days! Scheduled to get new customer service counters which will provide much needed space!
We had left the car for less than 45min. Shannon opened the back door and found that they had taken her wallet. I opened mine and they had taken my wallet and my checkbook! The police came and then a detective came who took fingerprints. When he found out that we had a lot of cash, he said he would call some of his "informants". We were able to call the CC people and our bank. Shannon recieved a new license the next day ( I am still waiting for my temporary) and our day was completely ruined.
And here are the big girls of the family! Emily, Nick's wife, Me, Shannon. Robyn Hyzy, Andrew'a girlfriend, and Amy , Scott's wife! I don't know how I would do half the things we do without these great ladies! They are all a wonderful addition to our family! Love you all!
Makayla, Lily, and Jenna were the big hits at our annual Christmas Party. This was taken in front of our live Christmas tree before people arrived! The two older girls helped to give out coat check numbers and Makayla even helped to pass food. I guess I don't need to worry about new helpers for a few years!
He's been with us since our first christmas in this house. 1990. Many may think I'm putting this post up because he may have passed. No fear he is still here. Slower, skinnier, deafer and blinder. He isn't doing well. I have banned him from our bed at night. He was staying in the kitchen but would bark most of the night and we weren't getting any sleep. When the kids were home this past week we brought his bed up to our room and he is now sleeping there.
