-Pats belly-

I am so full and happy and content, still! Thanksgiving was just perfect, everyone sitting around the house milling about talking. Luke and Julie came in a day early to settle in, since it’s more of a task to get her two monkeys in order. That night Luke and I sat on the deck drinking a beer or two and wondering where Jacks might be. He was with Jess of course and was to leave later on that night; he left around 2 am due to my coaxing him up and out the door, the earlier the better! Around 8 am he rolled in beaming his huge smile and wanting to cuddle the kids. He looked somewhat healthier than the last visit, maybe he’s gained a pound or two, and I had to go check out his new truck. Luke and he were going to have a long talk, Ha ha!
Lori was all of excitement because she decided that this year she would cook some sweet potatoes, she usually has the roll assignment but wanted to graduate. They turned out pretty good, along with an assortment of sugar cookies and multicolored sprinkles she felt like a huge help. Mom was proud she wanted to be included in the kitchen.
G and PG rolled in around 1; they have to share their time with the other kids as well.
Kyle and Camen were into everything, PG was having a grand time telling them all about how Santa goes about making toys and can see you do bad things. This means Kyle would look around before poking his finger into the cakes and licking the icing.
Around 2 it was time to eat, I was starving and ready to pile into that food, of course PG did the blessing, after that Luke stood up to make an announcement. That’s right; we have another monkey on the way. Mom cried and G teared up over the announcement, and then scolded Julie for not saying anything earlier. Lori was ever so excited because that will be another niece or nephew to dress.
The whole time, in the back of my mind, wondering where Pops might be, what he was thinking and how he might be feeling. His whole life was in that house at that very moment, celebrating and sharing food and memories. My heart was sad, knowing someone was alone that didn’t need to be, on a day like this.
After, we visited some old school friends, the three brothers wanted to go out and have a dinner and hang out at Wal-Mart like some sort of rednecks, actually I needed some oil for my truck and Jacks needed some Goop for the mural he was to be painting my dining room. We sat there and ate and laughed about old times and current happenings in our lives. After our dinner we saw three people from earlier school days that were in to see their families. One was a girl in my class and her younger sister; they were giggly as ever, I forgot how much fun it could be to talk and reminisce about the old days.
It was nearly midnight before Jacks and I arrived at my home, he was supposed to call Jess, his thinking it was late so he opted to call her the next day, I said it was a bad idea, he said I didn’t know her temper. He was still hyped up so he decided to start on the mural, I didn’t want him to paint it just yet until I had some furniture in there, only cast it out for painting later (Christmas). So he drew and we talked, I knew the fact that Pops not being there weighed on his head, in fact he was blaming himself for it. After many hours of drawing and redrawing he had his perfect cast for painting, he loaded up to go back home a day early, I knew he really wanted to be alone so I didn’t object.
Luke, Julie and Lori and I ventured out for Black Friday shopping. That was a treat in its self but I managed to get in a few good deals and home by noon.
The rest of the weekend Luke and I goofed off and did some occasional shopping, he gave me some ideas about the café and tips about the new house; we worked on the gate between PGs barn and my house, which brought me back to the old tree house days when we were growing up. Arguing what needed to be done and how, that I was right and he was wrong, just like old times.
That’s why I like the holidays so much because it gives me a since of family and caring and love, I see where I came from and the stock of people in my life, and feel blessed to have each and every one near me.
On a personal note: I have to be reminded it’s the holidays, when forgiving and understanding should be made easier. I plan on doing that and living my life without holding a grudge.