Carpe Diem

Just to brag on my wonderful, brilliant daughter for one moment.

It was Thanksgiving Day here at the ol' Wood household.  Trent had worked Wednesday night, therefore was sleeping much of the day, and was headed back in that evening.  Natalie was here and of course the M&Ms and myself.  I had decided not to do a turkey but a ham instead.  I really love spiral cut yummy ham so it was my decision that this would be what we would have.  A turkey, for three people, is far too much and I can't do that many leftovers!  Besides a few weeks before,  maybe like 6 weeks, I have cooked a great turkey breast and later that night, I barfed it up!  LOL -- I am sure it was not my cooking, just a little bug, but I don't think I could do turkey again that soon.  TMI?!?!

Any way, I had gotten up, not too early because the ham would not take as long as a turkey, but early enough to make some shrimp cocktail and some pink stuff and peel the potatoes...just easy prep work.

Natalie and I had decided earlier in the week that we would put the Christmas tree up on Thanksgiving Day.  Not a usual tradition around the Wood house. With Natalie's birthday December 4, I always tried to keep Christmas and her birthday separate, so we never put the tree up until after her birthday.  But I guess now that she is a big girl, that is not as important.  It worked out pretty great anyway because I had the day off and Trent was sleeping and I didn't want to shop (WHAT?!?!)

My mother called that morning and we chit chatted a bit.  I asked what her plans were for the day.  She asked what mine were.  We talked about her health and about Christmas plans.

Later that day as Jo and I were setting up the tree and decorating the house, we were talking.  She had asked what the Farmington family was doing for the holiday.  I told her.  A few minutes later she said, "You know, that makes me sad.  They have all that family over there and don't wish to spend it together and we are all alone over here and would love some family to share the day with. They really don't know how lucky they are and they don't understand all the time they are wasting."

That Natalie...she is a smart one.  I would like to think that it was because of me that she understands the concept of family so well.  But, I think it is just the way she is.   She knows loneliness.  She knows not having a house full of people.  She knows the yearning to be with family during the holidays as well as during times of crisis.  She knows that this may be the last Thanksgiving some are with us. She knows that there is just not enough earthly time to be with those you love. She knows to live life.  She knows the importance of telling loved ones they are loved, you never know when it will be the last time and your regret for not having said it one last time.

That Natalie...she is a smart one.

XOXO