Today was thanksgiving.. a holiday that I’ve never really liked.. now, since Sam’s passing, and the nearness of those two dates it’s become more important and meaningful to me. All in all it was a good day.. though I got progressively sadder as the day went on. The day began with the Jarred Williams memorial 5 and 10 K race.. Jarred was a freind of ours who died of brain cancer on his 13th birthday… which was Thanksgiving day in 2001. He would be about Max’s age now. Every year Jarrod’s parents put on this race as a way of raising money for the Jarred Williams Foundation. The Foundation does great work in supporting family’s of kids with cancer.
The weather for this morning’s run was pretty perfect. High 30’s and a few snowflakes… We all met at the Round Church
Signed in…
… and milled around talkign to all of our freinds who were there either to run or walk..
Here’s Jarred’s dad, my friend Dwayne.. and my other buddy Clint.
And.. here’s Jarred’s mom Maureen with Diane..
Jarred’s aunt was in town as well.
Here we are ready to go..
Lou and Kathy were walking, too .. Notice the stylish socks on my hands.
Folks of all ages were there.. I think there were abotu 80 walker/ runners in all..
Maureen, Danielle and Dwayne got the runners ready…
Ready… get set…..
The run was fun.. it seemed liek most folks were doing the 5k.. I went ahead and ran the 10… it felt good to be out there..
After the race we came home and hung out with Max.. he and Abbott got back from Pratt abut 11 PM last night. Max brought back their apartment’s dog, reptar, a Jack Russell Terrier.. They found him as a stray n boorklyn… He’s a very sweet and fun dog with infinite (!!!0 energy).. just check out the movie !
Diane kept cooking through the day, cranberry chutney (made last night), spinach goop (yummmy !). a pumpkin cheescake (ultra yummyroles, and these babies.. Tofurky.. aka.. stuffed tofu maskerading as turkey.. These things are made of tofu and stuffed with rice and veggies. Believe it or not.. they were actually really good !
We wenr up to Tim an jens around 4..with all three dogs
. Barry was there already carving the turkey..
I got the honor of carving the tofu !
We all sat down and had a toast for all we were thankful for.. and for all those who could not be here with us.. All day I was thining of this moment and how Sam woudl not be there again this year.. and every year.. It was one of those bitter sweet moments that always looks harder in anticipating it than it actually is..
Tim said a grace that managed to wrap up all of the various beliefs and traditions that were gathered around the table …. then we dug in… before too long we were stuffed !
Then came my crowning role for the day.. dishes !. I love doing dishes after big meals like this .. It makes me feel useful !
Once the dtabels were cleared and the dishes done We all sat down to play Apples to Apples.. we were playing on the beutiful mosaic table that Jen made.. it has a SamStoen right in its center..
Then it was o n to charades.. we had two teams.. one team hose the words/phrases thta the other team had to guess. for soem reason.. most were scatalogical or excratory this evening.. and it wasn’t only the kids doing it !
We worked up enough appetitie for dessert… soe wdug into several different pies .. and Diane’s cheescake.. All yummy.
After that came karaoke.. by that time I was pretty sleepy and getting pretty sad.. We said our goodbyes and came on home..
it’s been a long and thoughtfull day.. I do have much to be thankfull for.. I have a wonderful wife and kids.. I love my extended family and my community.. we’re healthy… and we do have happiness in our lives now.. Missing Sam shades everything.. but as I said above.. even as we miss him, it makes me more thankful for what we have
I wan to wish our extended family a special thanksgiving wish.. To judy, hugh, billy, shaun. ben. betsy, billy., berto, chris, mary, john. elery, jake.. new-baby Theo. marcia, gabe, joe, pat, vincent. victor, steve, denise, steph, elizabeth, michael.. thanks for being there for us, we love you..
we love you too, Sam ! and we’re thankful that your spirit still moves through us.
-me
OK
