Journal: 11/23/06

The day has arrived, and I’m up early. My part of the dinner is making the yeast-risen rolls, and they require time to thaw and rise. The turkey needs to go in the oven before ten o’clock, otherwise it won’t be done for dinner by five o’clock in the evening, our carefully strategized dinnertime.

With all that in my sleepy head, I arose at 8:00 AM and made the rolls ready. Cloverleaf’s this year, but the last time for them as well. Cutting the frozen dough balls in half just about wrecked my hands—another sign that the MS is becoming a serious problem.

After I finished, I called Bill to wake him for the turkey-stuffing party. Weighing in at twenty-three pounds, I thought it would take both of us to wrestle it into position to stuff. In the end though, Bill managed it by simply spooning in the stuffing. Bill made enough stuffing to make some outside of the bird, but we were both surprised at the amount left over. Over half of the prepared stuffing remained.

Turkey went into the oven at 10:00 AM, and we set off to Safeway and the eggnog. I needed to buy some Lactaid for my lactose intolerance as well. Not much keeps me away from the eggnog at this time of year.

Safeway was on the way to Rose’s place, whom I promised I would share some ‘nog with. What holiday would be the complete without visiting family? Anyhow, she didn’t want to come to dinner, so I figured that a short visit was the least I could do.

Back home and after a short nap, the turkey came out of the oven. The rolls, nicely raised with only a little damage from being stuck to the paper towel covering them, went into the oven. Naturally, I forgot to check the oven temperature and misread the heat on the package. They came out okay, it just took longer and the bottoms weren’t what they should have been, but delicious anyway.

Regardless of missteps—none catastrophic—Thanksgiving dinner went on the table at the time planned. Pictures to memorialize the occasion were taken and as a last minute decision, a place wasn’t set for Joann. This would be just between Bill and me.

Thanksgiving 2006

This is the first Thanksgiving since Joann passed away. I went through the day with my memories and a little sadness, but it wasn’t the heart-rending event I had imagined. Sure, a few tears were leaked, the occasional sniffle heard. A toast to Joann said, a silent prayer given. Nothing more was needed, or necessary.

There are many things I have to be thankful for this day. I’m thankful Bill is healthy and enduring well, that Rose is still on the Peninsula and my good friend, that I have a job and can pay the rent. Mostly, I’m thankful that Joann is still a part of my life, and that I have the support of my friends. All things considered, I’m doing well.