Each year they come.
We can’t wait for them to get here.
Lots of planning and extra effort around the house go into getting ready for our family Thanksgiving; and it is totally beyond worth it!
Because Andrew and his wife Laura Ann are near us, we all pitch in with our son Daniel and his wife Jayme and daughters Gracie (17) and Addie (6) long distance in New Orleans to plan menus and things to do in the few days we can share around school and work.
We try to see each other during the year as much as we can and watch the grandgirls grow and change. The brothers do their best to work in phone and FaceTime visits and texts, but when they get together, it’s dynamite! In a good way, of course. That Bunch energy is amazing to watch!
Addie makes her plans of what she and “Poppy,” and “Nonnie,” along with “Unca Drew” and “Aunt Laura,” will do! Different fun things including hot tub time, fishing, playing with her “babies,” doing puzzles, coloring, doing a project of some kind...
I have to admit, I have to get her to give me time off to get what cooking I have to do right before our meal is done! But she will help or give me a chance to get it together while she is busy on something else. I usually have some art or building something type things for her here.
Each year she changes a little in what she wants to do with Poppy and the farm. Sometimes she is all about the tractor and riding it, steering, and going all over the land on it. Other years she is back to the riding lawn mower, riding in the trailer behind it, steering and helping Gary drive it, and doing chores around the animals.
She loves the chickens! Enjoys looking for eggs like treasures, scattering feed, refilling water and watching them. The geese? Not so much. They are large and loud! The big 100-plus-pound Pyraneese dogs? They love her and are so gentle with her as she gives them hugs and pats. They follow her everywhere and gently talk dog language to her.
Gracie did these things when she was Addie’s age. Now as she is a senior and thinking about her future, we talk, sit and spend time together, and cook and clean up together! She’s an excellent baker, too.
“I wonder what Addie will want to do this year?” Gary muses as he uses the leaf blower on the front and back porches and decks. “She hasn’t been much interested in her puddles and stomping in them lately.”
“I think she will want to fish!” I reply, knowing how she loves catching the small bream.
It doesn’t matter what we do as long as it is good and safe and fun and we all do it together as much as we can. Being family. In one place for a short time.
And as we hold hands and pray together, I am content. I am rewarded. I am whole.
