Aunt Susan

We were all ready for a new Thanksgiving this year.  We decided to forego the extended family get together, and made plans to spend the holiday with the Wagners in Boise.  We were all looking forward to our little vacation.  Its always so fun and EASY to be with them.  Especially when Leslie would be doing most (ALL) of the cooking!

I was just making last minute preperations for our trip when I got the call that my aunt Susan (my moms sister) had passed away.  She had scleroderma.  She had been in a lot of pain over the years, but I was clueless.  We had a barbeque at her house over the summer, and no one would ever guess how badly she was hurting.  She was such a good sport.  Posistive, happy, accommodating, gunuine, and SO LOVING!  She was an excellent mother of seven, and she will be missed dearly.

 

Our Thanksgiving plans were immediately changed.  My sister and I decided to ditch our family, and catch a ride with my mom and dad to Canada for the funeral.  It was a sweet service.  All seven kids spoke, and did a great job.  They played a recording of Aunt Sue and Aunt Barb singing "Wind Beneath My Wings" together, then my cousin Jana joined in on the last verse...tear jerker.  In Canada, they don't have Thanksgiving (theirs is in October), but my grandma DID make us some turkey bacon for breakfast, and some pumpkin pie for dessert. 

Despite the sad circumstances, we still managed to have a little fun.  Nothing feels better after a good cray than a good laugh!  We played some cards, ate A LOT, and even made a trip to the candy warehouse to pick us some of our Canadian favorites!  It was an emotional trip...but one I'll never forget.  I'm so glad I was able to go!...Oh, and smooth sailing over the border this time...FYI.

Meanwhile....

Frank and the kids had a little vaca of their own!  They went to Golden Corral for Turkey dinner, then headed to the movie.  After that, they checked into a hotel downtown, and sat (played) in the hottub.  The next day they went shopping, to the movies again, and just realaxed. 

Before I left, I was hinting that the Christmas Light Fairy might come while I was gone.  (hoping Frank would FINALLY put up lights this year after an 8 year break)!  When my parents pulled into my neighborhood, we were all looking to see if the lights would be there...they weren't :(.  The house was dark, but three cute sillouhetes were sitting on the front porch eargerly waiting my arrival :)  As soon as the car was parked, the christmas lights turned on!  Frank had Christmas music playing on the outside speaker, and the kids poured into the car for hugs and kisses!  The best welcome home to date...for sure!

 

Something about losing someone that makes you really appreciate the people in your life...both past and present!