The Day After

My  apologies for no post yesterday.  I actually had mentally written my list of all the things I was thankful for, but then I was too tired to type them all out.  We had a wonderful evening with Michael and Lesley and their children. Hannah came over after dinner and all the kids (three of them actually being adult age) had a fun time playing Apples to Apples while the four 'grown ups' got to just sit and visit.

I went with a place setting, but I brought my two measuring cups of blended food to the table along with my syringe.  Although there were a couple looks my way when the syringe made the unattractive fart-like noise, no one really missed a beat.  In fact, Louis didn't even notice I splattered him, and was a really good sport when I was wiping off his sleeve.  No, it wasn't the same as eating with everyone, but it was okay.  I opted for blending separately, in case you are interested.

Oh, and just because I was just singing its praises, the 23 year old immersion blender gave up the ghost during dinner prep.  Add that to the list of things to replace.

Because I cannot  "eat", Michael and Lesley brought a less traditional hostess gift, a Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head.  It was fun, and thoughtful, and I'm so lucky to have such friends.

I was actually too full for pie, so I saved mine and added it to my oatmeal today.  I had that hint of pumpkin pie in the back of my throat all morning.  Not a bad thing.  We did not partake in any Black Friday shopping, opting to do a few things here while awaiting Barbara's arrival.  Good friends come to visit and help you, but I'm not sure what adjective to use to describe a friend who comes the day after hosting 41 people at her house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Amazing? Brave?  Out of her mind?  Let's go with the first one.

Visiting is a little tough as Barbara's ear is not attuned to my special speech yet.  Fortunately I have Karina, my personal translator here this weekend.  I can't believe how she gets so much of what I say.  I already have started talking to her and just having her translate. Not a good habit when she goes back to school. Hopefully my text to talk will be here soon.  I know it isn't perfect either, but some stories require more clarity.

We had a nice afternoon of sharing stories and folding mountains of laundry.  We had leftovers for dinner and let me say that blending separately last night was a good idea.  All blended together Thanksgiving dinner is not attractive.  Tastes the same to me, though...

Karissa was singing in the choir tonight at Temple.  This was my first trip to services since my surgery.  A few of the songs frustrated me not to be able to sing.  There were some teary moments.  And the whole "Li-Li-Li" that gets added on to everything is grrr... I've got no L.  Overall it was nice to be with the community which trumped the others.

For those of you who have never been to services at a synagogue, there is kiddush after, with the wine and the challah and then the oneg.  Other than wine, none of that is going in a feeding tube without some help. L'chaim, let me shoot this wine in my feeding tube isn't exactly the same either, even if I had remembered a syringe.  My back was hurting and Lesley offered me Motrin.  Not unless you have children's Motrin, or a pill crusher.  You just don't think about these things.  I guess I should start.

I have a tremendously long list of things to be thankful for, but right at the top is being alive.  Being loved and having so many people to love makes life worth living.  I am certain I will be reflecting on all I have to be thankful for during Aimee's memorial service tomorrow.  Crying makes my face hurt, but sometimes you do have to cry.

Hug your loved ones and be patient with strangers. You have no idea what they may be coping with today.
Until tomorrow.