This was our second not-beach thanksgiving and we spent it in McCall Idaho. This year was particularly special for several reasons. First, Betsy's fiancée Jeff was there with all four of his kids. On December 28th we will be the official Blughesworth family, as we add the Barrow name to our clan. It was pure bliss to see Jeff and Betsy so happy together and to introduce the Barrow's to our traditions.
We all arrived Tuesday night about the same time and discovered together that the "gathering place" was awesome! Plenty of room for all, beautiful location and a dining room where we could all fit for the thanksgiving feast. It was so wonderful to see Yuhua again. He is exactly how Betsy described hm-- a unifier, kind, mature, and the same--thank goodness. He is very unselfish and is always picking out the lonely person in a group. Jackson was wonderful too. I admire his courage more than anything.
On Wednesday we woke up to a beautiful snowfall. Tony and I could not resist a run, even if it was slushy. We enjoyed Tony's famous French toast for breakfast and packed our standard lunches to take to the hot springs. Gold Forks hot springs were like a third world adventure. We changed into swimming suits en mass in a rug covered yurt. The pools felt great and we had fun making whirlpools and soaking our muscles.
Wednesday night was the hungry pilgrim feast. Pure gluttony. Betsy brought pies from Kneaders that were the best, but Eliza stuck with banana cream and Tony focused on ice cream pies.
Thursday was perfect. We thought Tony was going to have to go back to Colfax, but found out early that he got to stay. He still had to leave early on Friday, but having him all day and night felt like the biggest bonus. We had a late breakfast, played football, did yoga, and played cards. Our feast included some new menu items: Amazing Parmesan corn, Betsy's roasted Brussels sprouts and Jeffs jiggly jello! After the feast of food we had an emotional feast when we shared things we are grateful for around the table. After the gratitude experience the adults sat and shared personal experiences and more gratitude. Our love for Jeff and Betsy and their kids was palpable. We ended the night with Dan in Real Life, our thanksgiving tradition and a lot more pie.
On Friday we spent the morning ice skating in McCall, and the evening at the
Harry Potter movie. I really missed Tony. This was the first thanksgiving I can remember where I would have rather been with Tony than with Betsy and Andrea. Maybe my copdependent relationship with them is getting better!
Saturday we cleaned up and we're out the door by 11:00. The kids and I stopped to see our lovely friends the Stones on our way home and were surprised to meet their one-week old baby Samuel! I love being with friends where time doesn't change our relationship. It was so nice to be home Saturday night and prepare for Sunday. It was a near perfect holiday. Next year I get Tony the whole time and Jeff and Betsy will be married. Maybe Cooper will also be healed enough that Wilson could join us as well.
Wilson wasn't invited to Thanksgiving this year. It was excruciating wondering what he was doing, and if he ate and felt love. Several days after we got home Audrey told me that she had invited Wilson to join she and Don. It might be the nicest thing anyone has done for me. She again represented the Savior with her unconditional love. Audrey is a tremendous example to me.
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