Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday, my brother, sister and I celebrate Thanksgiving by going to our local Pioneer Village for a traditional turkey dinner.

We've been going to the village for

our Thanksgiving Dinner for over a decade. It was my late mother's idea that we do something special the first Thanksgiving without my father. She said, he may be gone but we still had a lot to be thankful for. Since my mother's passing, my brother and I have continued to pass the day in the same way as it is still special, and we have much to be thankful for.

This year I had thought to give the tradition a pass. Eating out, especially for a special meal is expensive, but I decided the experience is very special for my sister. Next week is her birthday, and truly there is nothing she really needs or wants. Kathryn's favourite thing in the entire world is eating out, especially with both my brother and I, so, I caved. My brother said it was the idea of having to cook something myself that swayed my thinking. He's a smart guy eh?!

As I sat in the dining room, I kept thinking about next year. Of course, I thought about having a little one at the table for the past 3 years, but this year with my LOI in hand the thought of a little one is stronger than ever. As I sat at the table, I wondered if next year I'd dare to bring a little one to village for a meal. Some how I don't think it will be that relaxing.

We learned something new this year about my little sister. She has forgotten how to stop eating when she is full. She ate everything on her plate and then suffered from a new sensation, feeling stuff. Just as she finished her last bite of pie she began to pull at her clothes and indicate discomfort. My poor baby. She kept asking me to help her. How do you explain that I can't take the discomfort away.

I'll have to remember in the future to take food off her plate. I've never had to worry about this as Kathryn has always stopped as soon as she was full, but I guess this is an unexpected side effect of living in a group home, she's learned to eat everything presented. I guess it's a kind of institutional think.

Luckily, after a little walk through the village, she seemed fine when we returned to the group home. I know I could hardly keep my eyes open, so I'm sure she had a little nap in her chair soon after we left. One of the major things I am thankful for is the care and love she experiences at the group home. Her joy in returning to the house, with a cry of glee and a little dance is such a relief to me, it makes leaving her there bearable. I miss her though, and even for that, I give thanks, I'm so lucky to have her in my life.