Thursday, October 7, 2010

Everyday Is Thanksgiving

My father-in-law use to drive me crazy every November. I would call him and my mother-in-law to make plans for Thanksgiving. You know, the really important detail stuff like their house or ours, how many are coming, should we have yams or sweet potatoes and is there really a difference. Anyway, as I would be babbling away on my end of the line, Rob would eventually say, “Marla, the details don’t matter to me because everyday is Thanksgiving.” That yearly declaration just about drove me insane. Did this man not realize the efforts by so many to plan and execute the perfect Thanksgiving? Rob has been gone now for fifteen years. The saddest part of that to me is not being able to tell him, “I get it, Dad. I truly get it. Every day really is Thanksgiving when we have a thankful heart and the details, well, they just don’t matter.”


Last night our kitchen was filled to overflowing with the usual plus a few. There were fourteen of us in all. I cooked a twenty-five pound turkey, mashed a huge pot of potatoes, whipped up homemade gravy and filled my favorite red basket with rolls to be served with real butter. There was steamed broccoli and chunky applesauce alongside a salad filled with everything but the kitchen sink. Bottles of wine sat on the table waiting to be served and the apple and pumpkin pies topped with whipped cream were ready and waiting on the counter top.



We all gathered in the kitchen, held hands and thanked God for my sister Kelly still being here after all she has been through. We thanked Him for my daughter-in-law Amy’s mother, Ellen, who left us an incredible legacy because of her loving endurance through her entire battle. We thanked Him for Denalee aka Silver Strands and her beautiful mother and asked that God would continue to walk with her mom through her treatments and recovery. We thanked him for my friend Monkey Man, who is healthy three years post treatment. We thanked Him that every day truly is Thanksgiving when we open our eyes and really see the people around us.



Then we ate and laughed and drank and laughed and ate and drank and laughed some more. Finally, it was time to do what we had come together for.



DeLinda showed up with her scissors and OU painted fingernails. We were ready!



First DeLinda had to get my hair wet and comb it out. I think she may have mentioned something about giving me a Swirly which I declined. Boy, OU fans just can't take a joke




Then my mane was braided.




Finally, those OU faithful fingers exacted their revenge on my bobble head.




Whoa! That thing is HUGE! What kinda bait did ya use?




I could wear it as an evening wrap. Or maybe a muffler to cover up those extra chins.




Buh Bye Braid!



Thanks DeLinda! Go Pokes!!  :-)




This makes me really, really happy!!




What are you thankful for today?

23 comments:

Delirious said...

Your hair looks really cute short! How does it feel?

I'm thankful for good medical care, and cool fall weather.

Sarah said...

You look ten years younger! And hipper. :)

Silver Strands said...

Wow Marla!!!!! I say it again ... You are AMAZING.
Lots and lots of love to you.
Denalee

Cheeseboy said...

I think it's awesome you pray for your blog buddies and their families. Nice work on the hair. It is quite the gift.

Wanderlust said...

You are such an incredible soul! Love your short locks. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Marla wow you did it yippee. You look great.

I remember the day my hair was being cut for locks of love a lady walked in who had finished chemo and was there to show the hairdresser that she was finally getting a little hair and it was curly.
Wow to see her head with peach fuzz made it all hit home.

I know why you are smiling. It took 15 lbs off the scale. Did I say yippee. Love you cuz. Cher

J.J. in L.A. said...

Congrats on the cut and donation, and love the new 'do!

I'm thankful that my mom beat bladder cancer, nearly 10 years ago.

CiCi said...

This is one of the best posts ever. Ever. Your FIL shared some great love with you and you share it with us. I know your hair will be put to good use. Personally I like your hair cut on your cute face.

The Good Cook said...

I am thankful for strong women in my life. Your new do looks incredible! I think you look younger with shorter hair. thanks for donating, my nephew (10 years old) is now cancer free for almost 1 year!

Coby said...

This was wonderful! I love your hair short!

I'm thankful today that, after an opthomology appointment, Peanut's brain isn't putting pressure on his eyes.

gayle said...

What a wonderful thing you have done!!

I love your hair that length!!

Glen said...

looks great well done you, great cause - I'm thankful for cheeseburgers :-)

Blasé said...

I've always wanted to tell you that you would look fabulous with your hair short. I was right...as usual.

My Life in Purple said...

MARLA! What a beauty :)

I'm thankful for your friendship and the fact that you took part in this with us crazy women.

YOU are FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monkey Man said...

You look good in gratitude. That is an awesome deed you have done. Thanks for the mention.

Doreen McGettigan said...

You do look so much younger with the shorter hair!
I am a new visitor and follower..Butts and ashes tempted me..
I do home care work with elderly patients. Most days I love my job but every now and then it is just so sad!
Have a great weekend..

Mrs4444 said...

You look ADORABLE! What a great feeling that must be. No one would want my thin, fine hair...

Had I known you were cooking Thanksgiving, I would have strongly recommended my Berry Mallow Bake!! If you have another TG meal, you really should check it out. It's on my cooking blog.)

gaelikaa said...

You're a brave lady. Dunno if I'd have the courage to do that...

Marilyn said...

I am going to say something...you look younger...and I would feel wonderful knowing my vanity was offered to help someone. Thank you for sharing your story, it was beautiful!

Michelle said...

Looks great!

Matty said...

Yes, every day really is indeed, Thanksgiving. And where was my invitation to this eat and drink and eat and drink some more dinner? Send me the leftovers and I'll let it go. (wink)

God bless you for giving of yourself, quite literally, for a good cause.

Nicole said...

OMG you look SO much younger!!! I love it! Love it, love it!

I'm thankful that it's sunny outside, Maxine's doing ok after a scary seizure and loss of consciousness a few weeks ago and for my family every day. Even on the days that I don't show it! :)

Vickie said...

Hey, thanks for visiting me on my blog today. It's great to hear from you. Maybe we can get together for lunch sometime. Love you bunches.