Holiday Memories

As we get ready for yet another feast of Thanksgiving, I remember the happenings of the past year. It's been a year of many changes, some positive, some negative.

My divorce is done as of October and I am now a single mother raising three kids alone. It's been an emotional roller coaster for the last month as I struggle to balance kids, work and school. I have been plagued with doubts but thank God I have a good therapist and someone to pat me on the back when I need it.

I have discovered quite a bit about myself and what I'm all about. There are several parts of me that I've been pulling apart and closely examining. The biggest thing I've discovered is that while I have three kids that are with me basically 24/7, I do miss the companionship of a guy. I don't need a guy to complete me; just nice to have someone to hang with, go out for a meal, see a movie. It's fun to do all these things with the kids too; sometimes it's just nice to be a girl for a while and not Mom. I'm getting used to being alone even though I don't like it.

I spent most of today running hither and yon picking up kids, dropping off kids, chasing dogs..lol I managed to make eight loaves of zucchini bread as well as a chocolate pudding pie (that MAY last until Thanksgiving but I seriously doubt it will!). Tomorrow I'm making cookies and a pumpkin pie (that WILL last until Thursday because it's not the kids' favorite pie). Dudley has requested several of the zucchini loaves (in fact, he just stopped by to pick up three of them!) I consider it payback for rescuing this damsel in distress Friday night. I went out to the movies by myself (the kids were with their father for the night) rather than stay home alone and stare at the dog. I even bought myself dinner!

Coming home from the movies, the car sputtered and died on the side of a rather dark, lonely backroad here in town. After waiting for about an hour, I broke down and called Dudley to come rescue my backside. He came and towed me back to my house. An 18-minute trip home from the movies took TWO HOURS!!

So anyhow, the holidays are upon us again and it will be our first as a new family. The kids and I will be spending half with my friend Wanda and her family and half will be with their dad. Christmas should be interesting - my parents are coming from Florida and my brother and his family will join us for dinner. AYE! More people than this little house can hold but we'll squish in.

So to all who may read this, I offer this Thanksgiving blessing to you and yours: may there be room at the table for all, food for each belly, and love to blanket your homes.