Thanksgiving 2008

So much for watching Oprah's Christmas List special.... I was so excited to see it. I plopped down on the couch with NO ONE around. It was heavenly. BUT!!! Someone stopped the recording of Oprah for Sponge Bob!!!! I wonder who that was!! I was a bit miffed as I wanted to get each and every one of you the "free" gift Oprah was going to show everyone.

However, my mom saw the show yesterday. She arrived at my home for Thanksgiving...fashionably late....as usual, God bless her! :) Anyway, we're all running around getting things finished up and I see a small box lying on one of the many tables we had set out. I asked my mom what it was. She said, "it's a secret". Okay...my mom loves to keep me in suspense and knows it drives me crazy. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE surprises!!! So I got about my business.

Then my family and our friends gather around in a circle and hold hands while my mom prays. After our prayer, each year it is tradition for each of us to say what we are thankful for. Well, everyone takes a turn and says what they are thankful for and then when we are all finished, my mom says to everyone that she saw Oprah yesterday. (YES!! The show I missed!!!) Oprah told everyone about a gift you can give anyone that is FREE!!! I'm thinking to myself...yes, yes, yes!!! I get a free gift....and it's from Oprah...well sort of!

My mother explains that she brought a small decorative box with small cards within. Oprah had explained to everyone that the greatest gifts that she receives are small notes from her friends. Mom asked that everyone write a note to Wayne, Riley Morgan and myself since we were hosting Thanksgiving. I was so moved by the gesture, but not as moved as I was by the notes....

Note#1 From Jeneane & Kaylee
Wendy, Wayne & Riley,
Thank you all for inviting me and Kaylee into your home! The food and the "atmosphere" is awesome! You guys ROCK!!! Kaylee wished to stay longer (I wish she could have too!) We'll come back soon! Happy Thanksgiving!

Note #2 From Lynn
Wayne,
Thank you for having us over. Love the grass! For being a great brother-in-law (except the Miller Beer needs to go (Budweiser is the best) For being a good uncle to my boys. They need a role model. And for being a friend to Dennis, especially when he felt like he didn't have any. He always loved you though! Love, Lynn
PS: I will never forget Nags Head & hope we do it again.

Note #3 From Sarah
Thank you for having us to your house. I love being around you, Riley and Wayne. The food was good.

Note#4 From Heather
May all your turkeys
forever be moist

May all your mashed potatoes
forever be fluffy

May all your eggs
forever be deviled

And may your home
forever be filled with family

Note# 5 From Nana
Hi Wayne, Wendy & Riley,
Thank you all for having us for our Thanksgiving feast. I always feel so welcome and comfortable in your lovely home. May God bless your dear sweet family. I pray God will watch over each one of you in everything you do. Remember to always give thanks to our Lord for his blessings on you. Love, Nana

Note# 6 From Lynn
Wendy,
Thank you for being my sis! For being there for me especially the past year. I don't know how I would have made it through. For the daily phone calls when I was so lonely. For knowing where I am $$ wise! For all the fun things we do together! I look forward to many more! Thanks for being close to Dennis. I know he loved you and Wayne and you could help relate to him which meant a lot. I hope 2009 is better! I want to do another vacation soon! Love, Lynn

Note# 7 From Alli
It's all written in Japanese. Alli 15 and is taking Japanese!!! Yikes!!! I cannot translate this one, but I'm sure she said I am the most fabulous person ever!!! :)

Note# 8 From Lynn
Riley Girlfriend,
I love my girlfriend, Riley. You are the girl I never had. We have had some fun times together like Colorado, Nags Head and dancing in your kitchen! Everytime we go to the mall I see cool clothes that remind me of you! I wish I could buy them all! Dennis loved you too! Don't ever forget him! Love, Aunt Lynn

Note# 9 From Aunt Sandra
You are so seet to have us to your home. Thak you for the fun and family food! None better! Love You, Sandra

Note# 10 From Danny
Thank you for being such a great family!!! Danny - "Merry Turkey Day!"

None of the notes above are in any certain order. I simply pulled them from the box. Each of them mean the world to us!!! Even the notes that were not written (by the shy ones).