Moving On ----Thanksgiving 2012

Table Setting, Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving 2012 was a real family affair; four of my six children including Rodmond’s daughter Larissa came and participated in the creating of the day. Heidi prepped the Turkey with my direction. Paul and Rod took over the kitchen and produced a wonderful meal and did a lot of the clean up work as well.

Bill and Heidi had invited Bill’s sister Ginger and, as has happened the last 9 years, my neighbor Hazel joined us. Hazel will be 91 years old next week; she still maintains our courtyard and keeps moving around to stay limber. More power to her.

My son Steven called from London and wished he could have been here. Walter and family also could not join us. All in all we had a great Thanksgiving and were so grateful for our time together.

This Thanksgiving was not without sadness however; my brother Manfred died on November 14, 2012 in Germany. Unfortunately I could not fly to Germany to attend his funeral. I am the only sibling left and I am so grateful for all my children and that I have nieces and a nephew as well as Manfred’s wife Mia to reminisce about Manfred when needed.

Now we are heading toward Christmas, the biggest Holiday of the year. Our Christmas will be here in Healdsburg as well. I do not like traveling during the Holiday season. I love staying home and having friends and family come to visit.

I made my Advent wreath yesterday since December 2 is the first of Advent. I will have a small Brunch on Sunday for some of my neighbors. In the next few weeks I will attend a couple of Christmas parties. I also will do some spotter work in the next four weeks. It is a fun job except when it comes to writing the reports, ha, ha.

Missing my son Kurt and husband Marcus becomes acute this time of the year. It is hard to believe Kurt died 13 years ago and Marc made me a widow 36 years ago. He was a great Father and Husband. All these years I could not bring myself to get married again even though I did have a couple very serious long term relationships, my answer was always no. These days I wish at times that I had married again. Having seven children was a big factor in my saying no!!

Our children made it through their grieving and time of being difficult. All grew up to be self-reliant. They have families and keep in touch with me, some more than others.

Needed to keep you posted on the now. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!