Woodstone Prairie

The pies (one pumpkin, one peach, one apple) are finished.

The rolls and bread have been mixed, kneaded, raised, shaped, raised and finally baked. They are just waiting to be warmed…

There are still potatoes to peel, cook and mash, casseroles to put together, salads to assemble… and of course the turkey to cook.

One grown daughter is home, the rest of the family will be here in a few hours. The house will be full of children, laughing, delicious smells, the joy of all being together… as well as memories of past Thanksgivings and a bit of sadness… missing loved ones who can’t be here.

I got up early this morning to grab a few quiet minutes before the noise and busy-ness of the holiday begins. I wanted to post a Happy Thanksgiving message here, and also to take note of at least a few of the many things I have to be thankful for.

It’s been a very difficult year in many ways, but I’ve been so blessed in the things that are really important.

Family ~ Joe, the man who for almost 33 years has put up with me (for those of you who know me, nothing else needs to be said!), and five amazing children, each of them people I really like, enjoy spending time with, and am proud to know (and could say that even if they weren’t my children!). My grandchildren… miracles all… and a son-in-law who is a good man, and makes my daughter happy. I’ve also been so blessed with “family” that aren’t related to us… Granny, and S, for example… people who are part of our family, part of our lives, and have a place in our hearts… even though there was a time when we were strangers to each other.

Health ~ what an incredible blessing.

Woodstone Prairie ~ I do love where we live. The fields, wildlife, and quiet of it nurture me. It allows me to have Murphy, Tilly and Tucker (who I sometimes think of as my “therapists”… they are very good listeners), and gives M and R the freedom to just be themselves. To go outside and play without the dangers that being developmentally delayed and living in the city would bring. R can have her horse, and M has space to just be himself… to howl, or run around banging sticks around on things, or even sometimes to just sit glassy eyed up by the road, watching the occasional car go by. Somehow his illness doesn’t seem as BIG out here…

I could go on and on but if I took the time to type out all my blessings the turkey would never get cooked (and we’d have nothing but rolls and pie for Thanksgiving dinner!). So I should stop now and head out to the barn to feed.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Have a wonderful day…