Thanksgiving

What a great day. I’m still amazed by the kindness of people to invite a complete stranger to their home to live with them, especially over Thanksgiving when they have all kinds of friends and family that they have to take care of already. It’s phenomenal. It’s a great testimony to the kindness of people across the country and isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?

It was a relaxing day after sleeping in, getting to know the family better, sharing conversation, meeting other family of theirs, neighbors, and friends. There must have been over 20 people when you include the ones who stopped over to say hi and check in.

Now here’s the big test! Can I remember everyone’s name at the dinner table? I’m staying at Paul and Denise’s house, and both their kids were home for the holiday as well, Dane (20) who goes to school in Santa Barbara and Jessica (23) who goes to school at Arizona State. Denise’s mother and father were also here, Bob and Pat. Denise’s sister’s family was here as well. That included Caroline and Greg, and their three kids Elise (12), Blair (10), and Margo (7). There was also Paul’s friend Tony and Jessica’s friend Tasha. And then there was me, making 14 of us for dinner. I’m impressed with myself to remember all the names.

I wasn’t sure how it would be spending Thanksgiving with people I met less than 24 hours ago. Well, it was great! Everyone was kind and welcoming and insisted that I make myself at home. There was plenty of great traditional Thanksgiving food to go around and they made sure that my stomach was full. I consider it a real honor to be invited to someone’s home to spend Thanksgiving with their family.

Growing up most of my Thanksgiving dinners were pretty small, usually just the four of us at home. I have to say it was a little strange to be outside in a t-shirt in the warm sun, on green grass, about 70 degrees, on Thanksgiving Day. There was no snow and no fireplace burning. But nothing can be as cozy as my own home on Thanksgiving. And I missed my long nap after dinner while watching football.

It’s a great family here! Just fantastic! I never thought that I would be spending Thanksgiving in California while on a 50 state tour of the United States.