Three Gifts
This was our first Thanksgiving without her. Without my sister-in-law Linda. She left us to be with Jesus in August, so anticipating the holidays has not been the lovely sensation it usually is. Instead of carrying a light, happy heart into these special days, I've carried tears that come whenever they want to, along with a heaviness that I can't really explain...not dread, but perhaps fear of the unknown?
What are these days ahead going to feel like without her here with me, with us?
Enter my girls.
Tamara, Leanna, and Hayley purchased tickets to Biltmore for my birthday earlier this month.
Enter God.
Although Woody and I tried our best to head out of town the weekend following my birthday, we just could not make it work. Instead, we decided to go this week, just before Thanksgiving.
We traveled to Asheville, spent two wonderful days taking in all the beauty that Mr. Vanderbilt created with a portion of his fortune, got lost in Downton on display, and returned just in time to prepare the turkey.
That was the first gift.
The second gift showed up in the grocery store. Woody ran into our nephew Cody, Linda's son, who reported he was shopping for ingredients he needed to help with Thanksgiving dinner. Wait. What?!
I can't tell you how shocking that conversation was...but it was also a beautiful moment. We realized he was volunteering to step in and make some of Linda's usual contributions to the family gathering. Shocking? You have no idea. But such a sweet way to honor her, and a gift He obviously prompted.
I guess the third gift unfolded in a million little ways on Thursday.
I walked into her house and realized it was as it always is on Thanksgiving. Decorated, spic and span, everything in its place. Morgan honored her mom by putting up the picture perfect tree, making sure her favorite decorations were out on display, and cleaning the house for company. Linda, I'm sure, was beaming.
I entered the kitchen next. Seeing Steve, Morgan, and Cody working alongside one another in her place to prepare all the usual dishes was difficult at first, but Linda wouldn't have wanted things any other way.
The rest of the day unfolded, pretty much as usual. We ate way too much food. We snapped family pictures outside. Got comfy on the couches. All the usual things.
Except for a few...like Tucker and the tractor. Steve instantly became the "Great Uncle of the Year" when he pulled Tucker up on his lap and took him for a ride on the farm. Such a precious moment. Both were beaming.
Also...more fun with wigs. Last year Woody and Linda modeled a few together. This year, Memaw, Tucker, and Woody did the honors. Quite a bit of laughter there.
My Nanny turned 97 on Thanksgiving this year, and I had a little time with her, too.
A family movie night finished off the day.
Lots of gifts. Still some tears. I miss her so much.
But I am also choosing to be thankful that Linda didn't spend this holiday in pain. She wasn't stuck in a bed, unable to enjoy her family, having to watch people overtake her spot in the kitchen. Nope. She's whole. Healed. And home.
I guess we both received three gifts.
What are these days ahead going to feel like without her here with me, with us?
Enter my girls.
Tamara, Leanna, and Hayley purchased tickets to Biltmore for my birthday earlier this month.
Enter God.
Although Woody and I tried our best to head out of town the weekend following my birthday, we just could not make it work. Instead, we decided to go this week, just before Thanksgiving.
We traveled to Asheville, spent two wonderful days taking in all the beauty that Mr. Vanderbilt created with a portion of his fortune, got lost in Downton on display, and returned just in time to prepare the turkey.
That was the first gift.
The second gift showed up in the grocery store. Woody ran into our nephew Cody, Linda's son, who reported he was shopping for ingredients he needed to help with Thanksgiving dinner. Wait. What?!
I can't tell you how shocking that conversation was...but it was also a beautiful moment. We realized he was volunteering to step in and make some of Linda's usual contributions to the family gathering. Shocking? You have no idea. But such a sweet way to honor her, and a gift He obviously prompted.
I guess the third gift unfolded in a million little ways on Thursday.
I walked into her house and realized it was as it always is on Thanksgiving. Decorated, spic and span, everything in its place. Morgan honored her mom by putting up the picture perfect tree, making sure her favorite decorations were out on display, and cleaning the house for company. Linda, I'm sure, was beaming.
I entered the kitchen next. Seeing Steve, Morgan, and Cody working alongside one another in her place to prepare all the usual dishes was difficult at first, but Linda wouldn't have wanted things any other way.
The rest of the day unfolded, pretty much as usual. We ate way too much food. We snapped family pictures outside. Got comfy on the couches. All the usual things.
Except for a few...like Tucker and the tractor. Steve instantly became the "Great Uncle of the Year" when he pulled Tucker up on his lap and took him for a ride on the farm. Such a precious moment. Both were beaming.
Also...more fun with wigs. Last year Woody and Linda modeled a few together. This year, Memaw, Tucker, and Woody did the honors. Quite a bit of laughter there.
My Nanny turned 97 on Thanksgiving this year, and I had a little time with her, too.
A family movie night finished off the day.
Lots of gifts. Still some tears. I miss her so much.
But I am also choosing to be thankful that Linda didn't spend this holiday in pain. She wasn't stuck in a bed, unable to enjoy her family, having to watch people overtake her spot in the kitchen. Nope. She's whole. Healed. And home.
I guess we both received three gifts.
Tears of sorrow and tears of joy flow down my face. Linda would be proud of all of you. Rejoicing in her healing and still mourning her leaving. Your words are a gift!
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