Thursday, November 5, 2009

~GATHERING TOGETHER - Giving Thanksgiving It's Due~

~WELCOME THANKSGIVING~

Along with you, my Blogger Peeps, I'm excited about the upcoming Holidays! I'm especially thankful at the prospect of having a somewhat 'normal' Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, given that fact that both of them in 2008 were less than wonderful. Last year found me in my native state of California watching and praying over my only brother who was facing an unexpected, radical surgery and was very ill. Just a week after his major operation my beloved Gramma passed away after being in excellent health for many years. Two trips to the West Coast in three weeks was just about more than I could handle. By the time we returned from the Memorial Service, my Mr. AGPMan was sick with the Flu and for the first time in 17 years our outside Christmas lights and decor were dimmed. I didn't want to celebrate anything much less decorate. If not for my daughter I wouldn't have hung a single ornament.

With her help I did manage to assemble a presentable Thanksgiving Dinner and somehow got one of our three Christmas Trees up and decorated. I eeked out a few sales on eBay to help cover our unplanned traveling expenses, but if the truth be told I wanted the entire Holiday Season OVER. I was exhausted and wanted to crawl into a hole. On the outside one would have thought I had nothing at all to be thankful or grateful for at all...

So, as Thanksgiving draws near this year, I plan to honor the day and celebrate it in style. Even though my oldest child and his family will be with our daughter-in-love's family, those of us who can Gather Together, will. I will hold fast to our family tradition of decorating for Christmas after the day of Thankfulness comes to a close.

Blessings to you as the day draws near, when we gather together and hold hands, gobble up the Turkey and say prayers of thanksgiving for everything we've been given...Rebecca

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Good morning Rebecca....
I am so sorry about all the misfortune you had last year...I was there too. Practically bedfast at the most joyful time of the year...I am glad things are better for you and yours this year....
happy thanksgiving....

Bottega Veneta said...

Great!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Rebecca sweetie.
Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family for a wonderful holiday this year.

We will have all of the kids with us this year, and I am so thrilled when we can sit down together. Sometimes TJ has to work on the holiday. He can't afford not to, with the overtime pay and all. I so look forward to seeing all of our faces together.

I am mailing a little package off to you tomorrow. It will be in a padded envelope. Just a little thank you for standing in for me, and for being such a wonderful friend. I love you sweetie, Sherry

Anonymous said...

HI Rebecca! I'm sorry about all the trials of last year! God is good and I'm thankful everyone is well this year! Enjoy your family and be blessed.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Abatevintage said...

Rebecca, god blessed you with a wonderful gift of communicating your wonderful stories, I love reading your history in life, and sad to hear of the passing of you grandma just one year ago, though this holiday will be a hard one for you to celebrate just know that I will be praying for you to stand strong and for the angels to hold you up to get through the day. I pray your Thanksgiving will be wonderful.


Blessings,
Heidi

Anonymous said...

What is it they say???? The well laid plans of mice & men.....
At least your daughter pulled you through it last year!!
Love,
Marilyn

Blue Creek Home said...

Sickness and loosing a loved one is painful anytime, but it seems extra sad when it happens during the holidays.
Here is to a wonderful Thanksgiving. And to decorating all three of those trees this year!!!
Rhonda

Tara said...

I do so hope this year is peaceful and drama free for you. Thanksgiving and Christmas is such a special time of year, it's horrible when something ruins it. So haul out those Christmas decorations and get crackin!

Sue said...

OH! Rebecca,
I am so happy that your holidays for this year are looking up, and I love the spirit that you present.

I am looking forward to you showing how you decorate your beautiful home.
Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
sue

Sue said...

OH! Rebecca,
I am so happy that your holidays for this year are looking up, and I love the spirit that you present.

I am looking forward to you showing how you decorate your beautiful home.
Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
sue

Dolores said...

Hi Rebecca,
I'm hoping and praying that your Thanksgiving and Christmas will be everything that you want it to be.
Thinking of you .....
Love,
Dolores

June said...

Oh Rebecca sweet, I am so looking forward to the holidays too. I love it when all the children 'go over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house' and we can all be together to stuff ourselves silly. Let's pray that things stay 'normal' and we can have our holidays merry.
Hugs,
June

Lisa said...

Some years are like that. Sorry about yours. It is great to be Thankful for what we do have. I try very hard to concentrate on that. Thank you for this wonderful post!
Hugs, Lisa

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

Now don't fall out of your chair but I am here! I have been a little MIA. I have just been so busy. I can relate to your last year's holiday season. It seems every now and then events occur that just seem to knock the wind out of our sails and fussing with the holiday decorating is the last thing we even want to do. Let's face it, it can be a lot of work, but it is fun nevertheless. Last year was the first year in 32 years that I did not put up a Christmas tree. It was mainly because almost everyone was out of town last Christmas! That has never happened before. This is the first time I am admitting this, but it actually felt good taking a little break from all the decorating. Did I say it is a lot work! I will make up for it this year though. I am going to have a house full for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yeah!
Hugs, ~Sue

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Oh Rebecca....I remember reading about your sad season last year....My Mum passed away the day after Christmas last year after being very sick for months....it was no fun here either. I'm still missing her soooo much. I'm a little undone about having to face Christmas without her.

Big hugs sweet girlie....I love your positive spirit.

Spencer

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Rebecca, I hope this year's Thanksgiving will be one of peace and joy for you and your family, especially after last year's difficulties. My Jim and I are ever so grateful for another Thanksgiving approaching. A year ago, who knew he would undergo open-heart surgery...we had no clue; we only knew he was not feeling well. This year, he is vibrant and healthy! We are so blessed. And blessed, too, with friends like you! Thanks for a beautiful post! Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Coralie

blushing rose said...

G'morn, Rebecca ~ May brother have continued improved health & G'ma rest in peace.

I know that you will have a beautiful holiday season with your loved ones, as you remember those you loved & love so dearly close to your heart. May this year be full of love & wonderful new memories as you gather.

We lost my Mother while in Mass on Christmas Eve, we lost Harold's G'ma on Christmas eve, we lost my G'pa a couple days before Christmas
... our Christmas' have never been the same tho we have wonderful times of love together ... & pray for those we love & loved so dearly.

Hugs of love, TTFN ~ Marydon

Barb said...

Rebecca, so glad this year will be better for you. The holidays are so exciting but I can understand your feelings about last year.

The year 1977 held those feelings for me.....so much sadness. I wanted the entire holiday to go away.

So glad we lean into God!

Love, Barb ♥

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