There was complaining, but by the end of the trip I think we were all glad to have stayed at Shipwreck. There was no Internet, limited tv access and no phone service. Andrea Betsy and I immediately rearranged the furniture and imagined what we would do if it was ours.
The hungry pilgrim feast was a big success--as always. The ice cream pies and cream pies were the biggest hit. Thursday we ran the turkey trot and played football on the beach while the turkey cooked. Reggie the dog was in heaven playing in the waves and running in the sand. All the kids had fun chasing him. Our feast started with statements of gratitude and more tears. That evening went to the movies and splurged on popcorn. Most of us saw The Life of Pi, which brought lots more tears and was a wonderful movie. That night we worked on puzzles, played games and stayed up way to late discussing gospel principles like what spirit prison really means.
On Friday we slept late, played on the beach and got ready for Tillamook. It was raining cats and dogs which made our trip to the dunes a soggy adventure. We were all soaked through, but we all made it! We took the girls to Goodwill and my good luck at this my favorite thrift store held out: a new pea coat, fleece jacket and shoes for Eliza in 1/2 hour! Tony, Jason and the teenagers played screwy Louie into the wee hours of the morning while Betsy, Andrea and I tried to figure out what Betsy would write on her Christmas card this year.
Saturday was shopping day! Tony was first one to catch the shopping bug and hit the Nike store with a vengeance. He bought Cooper a long board for Christmas and it required all my powers of pursuasion to keep him from buying one for himself. It was nice to get Christmas pajamas taken care of at a great price, and to shop with women of similar taste.
Saturday night we went to dinner as adults. I think James was most missed this night. Betsy talked about how directionless she feels without him. James, his disease, and his addictions really helped define her identity. She and James had a good marriage, but it wasn't easy. I pray every day that if possible, Betsy will have the experience of an easy marriage in this life. We've even joked about it a little, realizing that the pickings are slim.
John broke my heart this night when I found him sobbing. He told his Mom he missed his Dad so much and that the beach was a lot more fun with him. Thank goodness for the consoling influence of Reggie. He snuggled right up to John and knew just what to do.
Sunday we loaded up (through a bedroom window because the front door was broken) and headed to church. We met following sacrament meeting at Betsy's house and had a little testimony meeting. A testimony seems like a good way to remind us that there is a plan to what seems like chaos.
We were home by about 10:00 that night and like every year I went to bed so grateful for the opportunity to be a Lughesworth.
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Location:Thanksgiving at the Beach
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