Thanksgiving

Growing up; you never really know the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  You learn about pilgrims and Indians; turkeys and corn and you are told that this is a holiday which brings families together.  From my childhood Thanksgivings I remember that I was always surrounded by a bunch of old people and we ate food....lots of it.
But now that I am older; I truly have come to appreciate the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  This year my boyfriend's mother decided that she wanted to host a Mexican Thanksgiving.  I was against it; but never would have told her that ;-).  Thanksgiving is supposed to be turkey, potatoes, stuffing and cranberries; not enchiladas, rice and beans!!  But I went along with the idea and even offered up my services to help.  Well, Turkey Day rolled around and I managed to sleep in til 12:30; which is so rare for me.  By the time I got downstairs; most of the food was already made and in the oven.  As soon as my MIL saw me she told me I was in charge and she was going upstairs to rest for a bit.  About 20 minutes go by and my boyfriend (from now on will be called Brian) yelled that his mother needed his father upstairs immediately.  Brian then came down to me and told me that his mom just received a call telling her that her brother is on life support and chances are good that he will not live longer than 24 hours.  What a terrible time to find that out!  I immediately went upstairs and hugged her and listened to her and let her cry.  (This was the first time I have seen her cry in the 8 years I have been around).  I went into protective mode.  I love this woman like my own mother and she is upset so I had to do everything in my power to make things okay.  She is a strong woman who finds it difficult to have anyone do anything for her.  But I knew that I would have to force her to let me take on more than she wanted me to.  I insisted that she let me take her to the hospital; but she wanted to drive herself.  Finally, her husband, Ray, told her that he would take her.  I then told her not to worry about any of the dinner and that I will take care of everything.
Other female members of my boyfriend's family started showing up.  They all consoled his mother; but only one offered to help out in the kitchen.  Really?
Needless to say, things turned out well.  Kathy (my boyfriend's mom), came down and helped with the last little bit of food and ate with the family.  Then they all went their separate ways after dropping their dirty dishes which left me and Kathy alone in the kitchen cleaning up.  The word compassion doesn't seem to be one that this family seems to know much of.  Or maybe I was just blessed with too much compassion for people?  I don't know.
Life is just such a wild ride and you never know what is around the next corner.  So Thanksgiving to me is being grateful for what you have.  Whether it is love, things, house, money, cars, whatever.  Be grateful that you are in this awesome world!!!  You never know when the last day you will see someone will be; the last time you will speak to a person; so make sure that you always try to end your words with an I love you or a simple thank you.  You never know how much brighter someone's day can be made by just those little words.
COMPASSION.  Maybe that is what I will write about more often.  The way it seems to be lacking in the world these days.  But for now I will list my Thanks and Gratefuls.  I am grateful for my mother, my father, my home, my car and my job.  I love all my extended friends and family and wouldn't be the person I am without having them in my life.  I am thankful that I am, once again, attempting this whole blog thing.

I have great expectations that this blog will hopefully create an escape for people to come into every week and just read what this crazy woman <--ME! :)  has decided to write about.

New begining

I thought I would get with the times and start my own blog.  This blog will be about a variety of things; all things that happen and go on in my everyday life.  From health and beauty to party planning to cooking, cleaning, gardening and everything in between.  Hope you enjoy my blog as much as I hope I enjoy writing it!