A Quiet Thanksgiving

Ed’s two-bits

“You know what’s good about Thanksgiving, Mom?”

“We’ve got a lot to be grateful for.”

Today, maybe because it's just the four of us,

at home for Thanksgiving.

I’m thinking my favorite Thanksgiving

was the year we went to Orderville

and spent it with Mama,

the first Thanksgiving since her second husband passed away.

We’ve had much more exciting Thanksgivings –

All the years we spent with Grandma and Grandpa Pugh

and their kids and grandkids.

Lori, Jeanette, Clare, Danny, Norman, Karen, Grandpa and Grandpa Pugh, Brent

Or the year all our kids had the mumps so we couldn’t go anywhere.

because the Ogden kids had all had the mumps

they came for Thanksgiving dinner.

Or the year Jerry & Lana came and ReNee and Roland Palmer

with their oldest son Kevin who was just out of a coma

after a terrible car accident coming home after the deer hunt.

Brent, Todd, Lana, Jayson, DeRay, Jerry, Tim, Jeanette holding Jeanne, ReNee, Roland, Kevin

Or the year, we celebrated on Friday

because the doctors didn’t release Mama

from the hospital until Friday morning.

All of her children and most of her grandchildren

enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at our church.

Plus a mighty fine program.

Back: Jerry, Lynn, DeMoin, Charles M., Charles H., DeRay, DeLoy

Lana, Juanita, Lucy, Carol, Mama, Shirley, Jeanette, Grace

Verla, Parl

Effie, Melissa, Cindy, J. Lynn, Amy Jayne, Nellie holding Devin, Jayson,, Calvin, Karla, Todd, Tim holding Tamber,Stanley, Keenan, Middle: Boyd, Carl, Connie, Jeanne, Grandma holding Travis (Ed), Keri, Tena holding Brooke, Brent, David,  Lee, Bryan, Robert.

Or the years we have enjoyed Verla’s good food and games and laughter.

So why this year does this quiet time with just Mama stand out?

Brooke would turn 1 year old in a month; Jeanne was 6; and Brent was 9.

I was pregnant with Eddy.

Being pregnant was a precious gift to me.

It was a quiet, peaceful, even sacred Thanksgiving day.

We were so happy together.

Written Thanksgiving Day.