When Warren’s dad Michael died it was devastating.
Death, no matter the cause nor circumstance, is upsetting. But when life is suddenly stolen from someone you love it is unbearable.
I was six months’ pregnant with Annabelle. It was a Friday afternoon in December and we were living in Portland, Oregon; it was already after 5 pm in Chicago. What would follow is something of crime dramas and movies – not of our life.
Fast forward many years. We wanted to find a place where our small family could get together and experience joy and laughter and love. Proximity to Chicago was important – since most of us are in the Chicago area. Too far and we’d never be able to get everyone together no matter the time of year.
So when Warren found a house on the bluff with a spot of oak, aspen and ash trees, it just felt right. This could be the place where our small family could land. Ideal. A place to relax amidst all that Nature could provide: lawn, lake, air and sky. What more could we ask?
Life being Life meant the first Thanksgiving and first Christmas didn’t happen. At least as I envisioned. Totally okay, but disappointing. I dreamt of a huge turkey in the oven, a fire burning in the pit and walks through the tall trees with kids kicking leaves in over-sized boots. Cousins running around and a wicked game of Balderdash. Or Pictionary. Or any team game that would bring us together. Late at night after the kids went to sleep the adults would sit next to a glowing fire and watch stars in the clear Wisconsin night.
A snowstorm and flu kept family away in 2019. But we four made the most of it. Lots of candles and more butter than needed on everything. It was delicious.
As we head into the Holiday 2020 season I can honestly say it will be like no other. Big family get-togethers are on the suspect list.
Today things have changed even more and getting together with anyone outside of your “cohort” of day-to-day living is ill advised. The idea of getting together with a few siblings, aunts & uncles and cousins is a no-go. It’s pretty sad to think sharing a meal with family could increase their risk to a disease we know so little about. On the bright side, it gives us more time to practice roasting, steaming and baking all that the Thanksgiving holiday offers.
Nothing says Thanksgiving more than the Turkey Charger
So the 16 place settings of Spode Woodland will just have to wait another year. But in the interim, I’d love to share my Pinterest Thanksgiving board with everyone. I know I’ll be sending some of these fun word search, cootie catchers and gratitude lists to all those I love and will miss at our table this year.