A WONDERFUL Day with a Normal, Loving Family

WOW!

What a difference the MOM in the family makes.  I can't go into all the details about my family, because I must honor my Mother, no matter what.  We spent the day with some people we had never met before, but we felt closer to them than we do to our own siblings.  It is what a family SHOULD BE LIKE.  Loving, friendly, kind, helpful and very sweet to their Mother.  And the Mother was patient and kind and helpful and willing to join in to whatever the others were doing.  

Terry's Mom is Catherine, but I call her Momma.  When we arrived at noon today, Momma was sick. She was nauseous and had been throwing up.  She was sitting on the couch with a large bowl in front of her.  She came to eat when dinner was ready several hours later.  Terry said that she had just prayed for her.  I put my arm around her, and I said a short prayer.  She was immediately better and she ate a full meal.  Praise God!

I was hugged over and over and over by people there.  People who knew me and people who didn't.

As my daughter says, "My cup was filled up."

Terry's 3 little grand kids were there.  The girls had been to my house one day before, and we made necklaces.  McKinley drew me a picture today, and I had Terry snap a photo so I could show it to you.

SEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!  Even Terry's grand daughter told me "I love you."

Jerry cut up the spiral ham and arranged it on the platter.

OF COURSE, he made Jackie and Josie each a little plate full.

It is Thanksgiving after all.

Josie inhaled her plate of ham, and then she tried to finish Jackie's.  I had to stop her.  The girl does not have ANY MANNERS!  Jackie loves Josie so much that she actually would back away from her plate and let Josie have it.

I gave the girls hugs and instructions to be good.

Then, we headed to Terry's house at noon with the ham, the cranberry salad and the pecan pie.

Terry's husband, Doug went out on the back patio to take the ham out of the deep fat fryer.  I was SO SURPRISED that the turkey took ONLY 45 MINUTES to cook.  It was very browned, and it was VERY, VERY moist.  Doug did not put any injections of anything inside it.  As soon as I got back home, I looked up the fryer at Amazon.  ANOTHER SURPRISE -- It was HALF OFF!  I ordered one.

As always, there was SO MUCH FOOD, and it was all super-delicious.  Pumpkin, custard, coconut cream and pecan pies.  A yummy looking cake which I didn't go near.  Terry made the rolls from scratch.  I am finding out she is a VERY good cook!  Turkey and ham and lots of salads.  Mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, dressing and gravy.

There was not ONE SINGLE moment of sadness or unhappiness.  No ugly remarks.  No complaining.  I washed the dishes and Doug's Mom dried them as Terry kept bringing them and bringing them and bringing them!!!  It flowed beautifully.

I wasn't the only one that enjoyed a perfect day.  Jerry also did with all of the very nice men folk there.  He actually stayed after I left and watched the Dallas football game in the movie room.  I was so very happy to see Jerry relaxing and enjoying himself with other guys.

All I can say is THANK YOU, LORD for blessing us with such loving friends who would include us with their own families as though we were part of them.

I'm going with Terry on Sunday to take Momma back to her home in Muskogee.  I will get to meet her grandmother and maybe Terry's two daughters who were not there today.

Won't keep you.  I know you want to eat more leftovers!

Hugs, Joy