Still Feeling Thankful 3 Days Later

Some of the many blessings of this past Thanksgiving include, but are certainly not limited to:

• The amazing Thanksgiving feast put on my sister Mary and her husband Kelly. They are one of the cutest little gourmet couples you’ll ever meet. Have you tried a deep-fried turkey yet? Or Giada de Laurentis’ mashed potatoes? Do.

• Chocolate Pecan Pie and Chocolate Truffle Cake. Need I say more? No, but I’ll post the recipes on my other blog soon.

• Finding a brand new parka for my son at the “door buster” price of $20.00. No, I didn’t stand in line to get it. And no, it’s not some factory reject in an ugly off-shade of fuchsia or taupe. In Stephen’s words, it’s a very cool “red and gray.”

• Daily Mass with Mom and Dad at my beautiful hometown church, St. John the Evangelist. The priest—a brand new “baby” priest freshly ordained this June—sang hymns during the Exposition of the Eucharist after Mass by heart. I was so edified…

• Drinking one (or two) glasses of Pinot Noir with my lovely sisters and nieces, and laughing laughing laughing the afternoon away.

• The impromptu Saturday visit with Grandma Cathy & Grandpa Doug on our way home from my mom & dad’s. We shared a meal made of all their left-overs—which were new to us and sooooo delicious!

• And finally, bringing my three older kids into the church for a quick Eucharistic visit, and watching as Stephen knelt in prayer for at least 10 minutes of it. “I prayed 3 decades, Momma,” he told me. “Slow.” Between you and me, (and because I’m not superstitious), that one’s my priest. Don’t get me wrong, though—I’ll take as many religious vocations as Our dear Lord sends us. And I’ll be thankful for every one.

PS. I’m thankful for you, too! Happy Thanksgiving, 3 days’ later!