November 30, 2013
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Thanksgiving '13
Thanksgiving was at my grandparents' house in Bowie, TX. Lindsay and I left Crawford early to pick up Andrew and Catarina from the airport. His plane got in around 1:00, and we got to Bowie around 2:30. Mom and Dad came later in the afternoon. We didn't do anything special...just talked and ate. I stayed at the their house for the night while the rest of the crew went to my uncle's house out in the country. It was convenient for me to stay, and I knew Granny would need help setting things up for the meal the next day.
On Thursday, we prepared for 18 people, half of whom I'd met at various times in my life but didn't really know. There ended up being 21, but we were able to fit everybody in. The food went quickly, but so did cleaning up. Lindsay, Catarina, and I had a good dishwashing/rinsing/drying line going, so it didn't take too long. Of course there's always a big afternoon and evening football game on. We all watched the games, and people trickled out as they had to drive back from whence they came. Sleep arrangements were the same. Papa and I stayed up late watching the Mavericks.
On Friday, Mom, Dad, and Lindsay hit a couple of stores, then went home. Andrew, Cat, and I went to the Parks Mall in Arlington. Cat met up with some old college friends there, and Andrew and I watched the new Hunger Games movie. Crawford was still in the playoffs for football, so we drove to Waxahachie to watch them play at 7:30. After the game, we met up with Cat and drove home.
Saturday, we were all supposed to go to the Baylor/TCU game, but I just didn't feel up to it. I'd done alot of driving, and I didn't like the idea of driving to the Metroplex (again) and getting back late (again). Andrew wanted Cat to see Baylor, so I drove them around campus and did the little mini tour. We met up with the parents in Waco, and they took off for TCU.
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Things of note:
Being in Bowie and certain places in my grandparents house made me realize 1) how many memories I have repressed and 2) how many good memories I'd like to make. I was almost taken back by memories that flooded into my head that I'd totally forgotten about. Obviously bad memories, and obviously further evidence that I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. It made me think about other stressful times in my life, other events that I've blocked from my memory...
I had a great Thanksgiving. It was great to see Andrew and Cat, my grandparents, and just catch up with everyone. I want to have more good memories there because the time is going short for that. I heard both of my grandparents refer to their death on multiple occasions, and yes, I realize they won't live forever, but I don't ever remember them talking about it so regularly. I want my Papa to see a great-grandchild. I want take my kids to the farm, for them to feed cows, and see baby calves. I want them to know Papa, and I know that time is not on my side.
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And I ate too much. And I feel large. I've devised a new prayer time/workout schedule. I've got a Mudder in April to train for, and those 12 miles aren't getting any shorter!
