Not Your Usual Thanksgiving

Early Gifts from MawMaw.

Go Titans!

Go Pack!

Sarah, Dave, and Maggie Mae.

The boys and Melia.

Looking for the right tree.

Paul and Anna.

Sarah and Dave.

Yummy Turkey.

Thanksgiving at the Mann house.

Well, this post is going to be a lot shorter than I thought as this Thanksgiving was not at all as my family anticipated. On Thursday morning my mom took my grandmother to the Emergency Room for what she thought would be a breathing treatment, and here we are almost one week later and my Nannie is in the ICU on a ventilator. Needless to say, it has been a long week, and we are looking at some rough days ahead. I have spent a great deal of time in the hospital while trying to balance some of the traditions and merriment that comes with the season.

My sister and Dave were in town this past weekend so on Saturday, while the rest of my extended family spent the day with Nannie, we had lunch and bought a Christmas tree. We spent the afternoon drinking cider and decorating which, I have to say, was a nice respite from the ICU. However, it just so happens that our lovely tree was the "devil tree" as we like to call it, and it fell not once, but three times since we bought it. Once was on its own and twice was at the hands of Greyson. Yes, I know you thought I'd say Scooby, but no. Not yet. And no, I am not holding my breath.

In any event, while I am tired and sad, I am thankful for all that I have when it seems like there are so many at this time who are without. And though I may lose someone so close to me, I am thankful for the special place she holds in my heart and all of the years that God has given her here on this earth. I am tired and spent, and I am trying not to let my emotional exhaustion get the best of me. So, for now, I am off to pray for healing, strength, patience and peace for my Nannie, my family, and some of my dearest friends who are being challenged in many ways during this holiday season.