Thanksgiving Debriefing

The only sound I hear at this moment is the furnace. Other than that, nothing. Silence is so nice!

The noise level in my home yesterday was almost equal to the home game for the Seattle Seahawks--record breaking. Twenty-four of us spent Thanksgiving enjoying delicious food and wonderful company. As a result, the decibel level of the laughter and happy voices was extremely high

After a one o'clock dinner, the afternoon consisted of fun-filled card games and board games. While an intense game of Settlers cast a spell over a table of adventures at the dining room table, a hot card game of Hand and Foot held another group to their chairs around a table in the living room. After snacks and turkey sandwiches, Wits & Wagers challenge a group of competitors.The last card game of Presidents broke up at 11:30 p.m.

For those of us who aren't card players, a jigsaw puzzle waiting to be pieced together covered the surface of yet another table in the living room.

Not a puzzle person or need a break?  Then kick back, have a cup of coffee, tea, or cider, and talk. It was nice to visit with family members when nothing else is on the agenda. It was also nice to talk with guests we didn't know.

If that weren't enough, we all took a break for a new event this year. BINGO (with prizes). Glow in the Dark Glasses, Minion stickers, votive candles, and a squeaky rubber duck pleased everyone who won. Some people won several times, some of us didn't win at all. That unfair division of the prizes is why I don't trust phone apps. They just don't work the way I think they should--not that I'm upset or anything. But, I really wanted that little yellow ducky.

Then, to add a little excitement, one never knew when a kitten would appear at a table, not on its own accord, but with the help of one of the kids. At least the feisty felines received more attention and handling that I could ever give them, and that is a good thing.

Oh yes, one other thing, what Thanksgiving is complete without dirty dishes? Since I don't have a dishwasher, we hand-washed lots of dishes and silverware and glasses and cups and pans, and more dishes.

Now, on this day after Thanksgiving, our numbers have diminished. We are a family of sixteen for the next couple days. By this evening, the turkey broth that simmered all day yesterday will have transformed into highly-anticipated turkey soup, a grandson's 22nd  birthday will have been celebrated, more games will have been played, and another puzzle or two reassembled. It will be good.

I am so thankful for my family. Everyone pulls together, doing what needs to be done. From preparing food to setting tables, from wiping off counters to picking up stray cups and glasses, from slicing desserts to putting out sandwich makings, from washing dishes to putting them away, all is done without any choreography from a leader. It's a beautiful dance performed by a dance company of twenty-plus. What a blessing!

That about sums it up. While I have been typing, a daughter-in-law has been busy taking down one of the tables in the living room and rearranging the folding chairs. We will be totally ready for this afternoon's and evening's activities. Now to get the soup started.

Feeling so blessed.   (tired too)

Jan