The last Thanksgiving Dinner

'Tis the Season...now and always!

This week I had a grand total of 11 invites to be with family or friends for a Thanksgiving dinner. I declined most of them. After the third feast I didn't really feel like eating any more and felt like a glutton. I did have a last feast today and I must say it was the most enjoyable, well maybe with the exception of spending time with my The Boys and Ellie! This evening I only had a normal size plate of food, even though it was the largest spread out of them all.

I do declare the company was the best! It was very enjoyable and we played Phase 10, a game I like quite a bit and I can't remember when I've laughed that hard without Tyler Marler around, I miss my best friends and the laughter and edification they provide. They are never forgotten, only at a different place and time than me. I hope their Thanksgiving was as great as mine. I can't imagine my side and jaw hurting more than they already do from laughing.

I had some of my very favorite people there: Lacey, Big Al, Tabs, Scotty, Dave, Bryce, Josh, and Joey. There was so much food it was bizarre and we all must have been pretty hungry because we mowed, during this time you could hear a pin drop. Then we played Phase 10 and it was wonderful-the giggles were incredible and jokes were of absolute delight. Diligent Bryce went home teaching and missed out on some of the fun.

I hadn't thought everyone would really be there that was there. There were a few of the people I had invited who declined last minute, and others I didn't think would actually stay and abide the evening. In all honesty the stress of it all threw me for a loop as Scotty pulled up and I knew this evening would test all I am and have been striving to become the past few months.

I wanted to drop the gals off and go to my own home. Lacey saw on my face and knows me well enough-I was thinking about leaving. The look she gave was a concerned, "Don't even think about it Sarah," and asked me if I wasn't going to get out of the car as they got dropped off at the back door. As Scott and I pulled up, he is so kind hearted and selfless, he noted that I was stressed and asked if I was alright. Without thoughtful examination of my response I replied, "This is about my maximum stress level-this is as frazzled as I get." He raised his eyebrows with adoration and said something kind and flattering; I can't recall at this time. Little did he know what was going on inside the mind of lady feeling trapped, tricked, and torn. The Lord doesn't trick you from serving others though...

My heart is like a quaint victorian home with extra beds and a wrap around porch, giving plenty of room for guests and parties, a porch swing for the more intimate moments, a huge yard for everyone to run, play and grow, and acreage to explore nature, imagine, and grant needed freedom from frolicking. There is the safety of a picket fence around this well kept yard with a vegetable garden and fragrant fruit trees, a large oak with a family built tree house, and outdoor fire-pit for those monthly spring, summer, and fall parties. This picket fence remains wide open for visitors, friends, and family. I love being with people, rejoicing with others and mourning when they need companionship in mourning.

However, it seems that once you've come into my yard, ripped up my grass or misused my porch swing I shut the gate and you are no longer welcome. When you come walking by my yard, I act like I don't know you're there, or stand at the other side of the fence debating if I will ever let you in again. This personal argument has a definite possibility of overturn. I continually am amazed at my gift to forgive and talent of forgetting the hurtful things of the past. If I see you come by my yard time after time wondering if you should knock, I will be in my garden pulling the weeds, I see you there, I don't acknowledge you, but I know you are where you are and in time my heart softens and I will open my gate to you once more. Give me the time I need and the real reasons to love you and I will open the gate for you to come and be with me in my heart, my house. We then can play in the sandbox, jump on the tramp or frolic in the woods behind the house. I realize then and only then can my house be made a home.

The evening ended on a high note. Big Al and I were so tired we tried with all of our might to clean up the food between the giggle bursts. There was so much food, I didn't want to waste it, the gals all have meal plans and the guys were bashful about taking the food. Finally Josh just started saying he would take everything. Hallelujah or we would have been there all night making trips to and fro bring things out to the car! Finally we made it out the door and to the driveway and the turkey platter flips out of Tabs hands and flies onto the ground. What a mess and here I am with three ladies laughing loudly at 11 o'clock in the evening. My default would have me laugh with them, but then I realize I am the mother here and we can't leave all this messy turkey on the ground for some poor dog to come and get sick on. I ask them to go and get a bag and kindly remind them it's late and we shouldn't be so loud. We make it down the slick drive and get in the car and drive safely home. They talk about it being the best night of the semester for them. The best night for many of us and all because one friend missed out on Thanksgiving dinner the week before! Thanks Bryce-you're the best! You've helped my heart get off to a great Holiday jump-start and I now fully feel and remember the real reason for the season.

Thank you all for continually filling my heart with love, laughter, and light! May the brightness and cheer of this blessed time of year fill you hearts and homes too! Abide in Him and He will abide in you, that this may happen for us all now and always.