Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I have always loved the traditions of family get togethers, and wonderful foods, most of which you don't get to have but once or twice a year. Even in later years, since I've gotten married, if we aren't having a family get together I enjoy preparing our traditional Thanksgiving goodies for my wonderful hubby and I to enjoy. The last few years, we have had trouble enjoying Thanksgiving to the fullest, so this year, I'm hoping nothing happens to ruin it. My wonderful hubby and I will be alone this year, to enjoy it but that's ok, there are a few family members I wouldn't mind having come join us, but as they aren't able to, I'm thankful we can have some time to spend to ourselves, and enjoy the peace. I hope all of you are able to have a great thanksgiving too.

Last thanksgiving we lost one of our fur babies, she was a wonderful companion for many years, and has been missed. Last year was also the last thanksgiving with my Grandmother, we didn't know that she would go downhill so fast, after thanksgiving, although we knew she wasn't doing so well. She was gone by Christmas.

The Thanksgiving that I am most grateful for, is the subject of these two layouts. Its the last time I saw my Uncle Orison alive. We lived in Kansas at the time, about a half hour west of Topeka, and that year we planned on having Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Several family members were planning on coming, along with my Uncle and Grandparents. However a winter storm came that week, so we thought all was lost, and we would be dinning alone. I was so disappointed, because I was really looking forward to it. Thanksgiving morning my Uncle Orison gets up, and decides to load up my Grandparents and head out to our house 2 hours west of theirs, because he didn't want me to be left disappointed for Thanksgiving. I'm so grateful to God, for getting them out there safely, and letting us have a good visit, especially since as it turned out, it was our last Thanksgiving with my Uncle, as he died in Minnesota early the next year at age 39. It was the last time I saw him alive.

So now all these years later, I still have to pause each Thanksgiving, and send my thanks up to God, not only for all the wonderful things he has given to me during the past year, but also for the wonderful gift he gave to me that year in 1993, of allowing me one last visit from my Uncle. One last hug, one last time of knowing he thought I was special, one last special day with one of the most wonderful men I have known. There's really only two other men that are as special, my Dad, and of course my wonderful hubby.

Kit Credits: A Vintage Season 1 and 2 and also the 2nd layout used a frame from Crumpled Framers All by Lara Payton

Well its a beautiful day today, so I better get these posted around and go out and enjoy it. It could actually snow later this week I have heard, so I want to enjoy it while I can. Hopefully I can do another layout or so tomorrow, before I have to buckle down and cook for Thanksgiving! :) Even though I have pretty much said all that's in the journaling on the first page, I will post it below. Have a great Day, and thanks so much for your comments!!!

Journaling reads:

One of my most precious thanksgiving
memories is the Thanksgiving before
my Uncle died. Its the last time I saw
him alive, and we almost couldn't get
together that day, because of a winter
storm. However even though my
parents couldn't make it as planned,
Uncle Orison loaded up my Grand-
parents and drove the two hours out to
our house, so as to not have me totally
disappointed that no one could make it.

I have been so thankful to God, for that
last thanksgiving together. Especially
when it was looking like it wasn't going
to happen, till Thanksgiving morning,
when they decided to chance coming.
I praise God for those last wonderful
moments I had with my beloved
Uncle. Its a memory that I have taken
out over the years, and held close to my
heart. November 23, 1993