Book Of Likes Faces

This year Thanksgiving is different-but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As I am laying here beside Momma this morning-my mind is an open door for memories of past Thanksgiving’s to come and go. Wonder how I could get them to stay? I remember so clearly staying at Granny Dot’s the night before and getting up early with her to prep the Turkey, the sides and anticipating the Maceys parade to begin. Grandmother Eldridge’s fine china, the poem she hung on the back door, Aunt Carla’s chocolate pies, the men hunting, Momma rushing them to be out of their camouflage, showered and ready to eat by noon are flooding through my mind. I’m grateful I came from a family who believed we should make our table bigger to feed those who may not have anywhere else to go. But this year-we are back to the basics. Momma doesn’t cook anymore-we ordered the majority of the food and Daddy, Stephanie, and I prepared a few things on the side. But I’m realizing that this is more than likely going to be the one Thanksgiving that I wish would linger in my memory forever. We are making this day simple and calm for Momma. Slowly taking one moment at a time. Savoring the food but more importantly the moments. How I wish I could etch them on my heart to hold for eternity. I hate dementia-it has robbed us of so many things but like my baby brother Ben so passionately declared to Momma that this disease can strip her of her memory of us but we will NEVER allow it to rob her of knowing she is surrounded by the same love that has always existed. I am sad, mad, grateful, and peaceful all at the same time. And that is okay. I once heard a quote that says-“Where there is great grief, there was great love”. So really that’s all that matters. That gut wrenching feeling in the heart and soul that I feel with each beat is really evidence that great love has existed and continues to remain. I’m learning daily that is the only thing that truly matters and is eternal. So I am beyond blessed on this Thanksgiving. :)

I am overjoyed to be able to say that the story of my midnight visitor that began last week has come to a wonderful happy end. I'm so happy that my door was a part of it. Donnabelle, as she is now known, as gone from a starved, parasite-infested, near death bag of bones to a healthy beautiful, flourishing seven week old kitty who has found a loving forever home in the arms of her new and loving humans, my mother Teresa. The new baby is now romping and playing with her adopted big brother Simba, and gratefully eating her kitty food hand over fist! #motherteresa #donnabelle