A Thanksgiving to Remember

Thanksgiving 2012 will go down in the history books as one to remember. Along with our family, we had invited our son's girlfirend's family to join us for the first time this year. For the table, as place cards, I had written each person's name on a rock and placed it upon their napkin. I asked each one to turn their rock over and write something they were thankful for and during dinner we would go around and share what we had written. The answers ranged from cute (Jack, age 6, was thankful for hockey!) to heartfelt (support of our spouse, health, etc). My son was last. He also expressed how thankful he was for his life, his family, and especially his girlfriend, Emily, who has been there for him through thick and thin. He then told us all that he actually had another rock, which he produced from him pocket. He turned the rock over and asked Emily to read what it said. As you can see from the photo above, it said, "Will you marry me?". He then proceeded to get on one knee in front of all of us and and asked her to marry him as he opened the ring box!!! She started crying and was beyond joyful. We did, however, point out that we had not heard her answer yet!! Through sobs, she nodded her head and said, "YES!". Tears flowed, hugs were plentiful and we all got to share this special moment. Who knew those silly rocks would become so important this Thanskgiving!
Later, as we said good bye to all our guests, Tyler & Emily hung back. Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, our son asked his dad to be his best man. He told his father that no other person in his life had been there for him, supported him and been his friend quite like he had. He looked up to him and couldn't think of anyone else he would want as a best man.
I feel so blessed and grateful for all the people in my life and the richness they bring to it.

Alice

I am constantly amazed at where life takes me. Sometimes I am closed off to new things and new people, but when I look around a little closer, I find the most wonderful experiences. Take Alice. I just met her today because she makes these fabulous scarves. I went to chat with her about her scarves as I am helping with the marketing of a local store that offers them. Totally a random thing that our paths crossed and, yet, maybe not so random. There are no accidents!!
Alice is 83 and as joyful and happy a person as you will ever meet. Her husband passed away two years ago (they had been married 60+ years!) and, guess what, she started making scarves two years ago!! It takes her about 5 hours to make one scarf. She never intended on selling them, but, one day, she walked into a luncheon wearing one and the ladies went wild for them. Sweet, mild Alice was stunned anyone wanted to BUY one! Today, EVERYONE wants to buy one! She attaches these adorable, handmade flowers to each scarf, which really adds a special flair. She showed me one flower she made and the center has a buttom that came from her own mother's coat. When she showed me and I admired it, she said, "Mama." That flower, of course, is not for sale! She keeps it in a special bag, a treasure, for sure.
I have decided I need more scarves, for myself and for friends. I may buy them one at a time. Then I get to go and visit Alice and hear more of her story. That may be even more of a gift than her beautiful scarves! So, thank you, Laura at the bank, who introduced me to Del, who introduced me to Tricia, who introduced me to Alice. Isn't this road of life a grand adventure?!?!