Thanksgiving 2014

Our Thanksgiving this year was very somber and low-key. We were still in shock and dealing with the grief of lossing Grandmother. Our pre-planned "Thanksgiving" with the Abercrombies turned into a dinner on the night of Grandmother's passing. It was nice to be with everyone and while there was plenty of laughter around the table, it was not far from the back of our minds- there was still someone missing.

Because of health issues, the Whitelaw family who lives in Miami [Aunt Carol, Ari, Max, Sarah, Felix, Caroline, Maxwell] was unable to come up for Thanksgiving as the always have. We still celebrated with local family, which was nice of course, but still it didn't totally feel like Thanksgiving without all the family there.

Ma's family gathered at her house as usual, but still for various reasons, not all of us could be there. And my heart still looks for my Papaw even though my brain knows he is not going to be there.

Thanksgiving just wasn't Thanksgiving this year. 

But, even through all of this we still had plenty to be thankful for. During the week of Thanksgiving I tried to remind myself that while it wasn't the perfect year of Thanksgivings, it was still filled with many blessings. 

One thing that didn't change was that David and Rachael got to help with the annual cornbread breaking on the evening before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, their cousin Cate was sick and unable to help. But, we are thankful that Ricky waited for us to arrive so the three of them could work together.

They loved it as usual. 

      

Lord, we are thankful for all our blessings even during this difficult time. We hold tight to the faith and trust we have in Your never-ending love for us.

Your Great-Grandmother Abercrombie

November was a very difficult month for us. We had to say good-bye to Ryan's maternal grandmother. So, this is a post I've put off writing for quite some time. I know I am not eloquent enough with words to sufficiently pay tribute to one of the most remarkable women I have ever met. So, I'm not even going to try. I'm going to keep it simple, but from my heart, so that David and Rachael will know what a special lady their Great-Grandmother Abercrombie was.

She was gorgeous and full of constant grace. 

She invented the 'hand on hip' pose for pictures. 

She was always happy and wanted to make others laugh.

She was always kind and very witty. 



She drove a school bus.

She was cherished and adored by this man for 69 years of marriage.

She was devoted to her God and her family.

 


She loved little children the most. Her whole face lit up whenever a child came into the room.

For all of her 93 years, she was the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 woman.



And David, you had a very special job on the day we said our final good-byes.

You were an honorary pallbearer for your Great-Grandmother. 

You did a great job.

 

Although her dementia diminished her ability to remember your names, I believe, in her heart she knew you were her great-grandchildren.  She loved every moment she was with you. You brought great joy to her life. She loved you, David and Rachael. And I hope you will remember how much you loved her.