Sweet Irene

We added a new twist to Thanksgiving this year.  Our Aunt Re is the last surviving member of her generation.  She now lives in a nursing home in a nearby city.  The Jackson family decided to travel there to celebrate Thanksgiving lunch with Aunt Re and her son's family.  Lunch at the local Cracker Barrel was a bit chaotic but the meal and the service was exceptional.

Aunt Re

The very best thing about this Thanksgiving was Aunt Re's smile.  She calls herself "Mean Irene" but nothing is further than fact. Maybe a bit ornery some times, but hard working, funny and kind is a more accurate description of her. It must be very difficult and lonely being a lone survivor.  For just a brief moment, we saw Aunt Re with her guard down.  Despite her best effort, a tear slipped out of her eyes.


Since Thanksgiving came late this year, Christmas is fast on our heals. Dan strung the trees with lights and put up our wreath.  We made the neighborhood rounds dropping off Christmas greetings.  Now that the trees are bare, we can actually see a few neighboring houses.

Look!  Neighbors behind us!

Flights to visit grandchildren are booked thanks to "Dr. and Mrs. Son".  I suppose it would be a mute point to explain how excited we are about this! Dan isn't even too bummed about having to wear a suit and tie this Sunday!  That may be considered a Christmas miracle!

Dan getting us lit up!

It is the gifts you cannot buy that make Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings special on this side of Heaven... it is smiles, hugs, family and friends that love each other.  Although-- pecan pie is an awesome chaser!

" So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
II Corinthians 4:16-18