SATURDAY STORY - NOVEMBER 27, 2021

SATURDAY STORY - NOVEMBER 27, 2021 

STORY (a work of fiction)

Diana had helped in the kitchen most of the morning.  As the Matriarch, mother, and grandmother, she had to keep her thoughts to herself  Her daughters, Linda, Sara, and daughter-in-laws Kathleen, Karen, and Geri did the work.  Occasionally Linda had asked her for advice, but, Diana wasn’t born yesterday and knew that Linda was just being nice and trying to include her. (And, grandson Mike was also helping - meal prep is not just woman's work!!)

A few of the older granddaughters were also helping in the process (never too early to get them acclimated).  Teri and Dale were in high school and it was time they joined the kitchen crew. (And, grandson Mike was also helping - meal prep is not just woman's work!!)

“Mom, could you check on the turkey?”, “Mom, could you help cut up the pies.”  

But, her heart was overflowing with joy.  Almost all of her children and their spouses, all of her grandchildren were here in Linda’s house.  Twenty-tour people in the house.  Plus her widowed sister and her niece. And all (directly or indirectly) related to her.  Just her daughter Becky was absent.  

*****

She excused herself.  The men were crowded into the family room and with the younger grandchildren with them.  The Macy’s parade was on, and they were kind of watching but really more just talking and being together.  Sure it wasn’t perfect.  Steve and Matt, the twins had their bumps and fights with their older brothers but that was long ago.  Today, the talk was about the economy, and they generally avoided politics.  Diana knew that as the country, about half of the family were on one side and the other half on the other.  But, thankfully, most could agree that they wanted to see the Dallas Cowboys win the big Thanksgiving game today.  

She stayed away from football talk.  She “knew” that Kansas State would knock the tar out of the Longhorns tomorrow but with two graduates from the University of Texas in the group, she skipped that topic.  (That was tomorrow anyway - today was a day for family and joy). 

*****

Dinner was awesome.  Soon, the table was cleared, and Diana was excused from the clean-up.  She took a spot on the sofa.

Soon, the youngest three grandchildren, Ada, Dale, and Asher were in her lap.  And within a few minutes, they were asleep in her arms.  She hugged the future of her family. Leah and Gen climbed up on the sofa too. Although they were eight years old, they wanted to be close to Nana too.

*****

Then the door opened quietly almost with reluctance.  Her daughter, Becky, entered.  They had been estranged for five years - Diana remembered the rift.  But, that was of no way anymore.  It had hurt deeply.  Diana - at age 83 - had decided that at her age, she forgave Becky unconditionally, and she was sorry that she had offended her.  Diana was working on the concept of “Love Wins”.

Gently moving the sleeping grandchildren off her lap, she made her way to Becky.  Sisters Linda and Sara were already hugging their long-lost sister.  But, as Diana neared the others moved away for mother-and-daughter to hug.  The tears ran like fountains down both cheeks. Both were trying to speak through their tears.  Diana saying “I’m sorry”, but Becky also saying “I’m sorry”.  

Love, forgiveness, healing, pardon, peace and joy overcame both women.  

An attitude of gratitude swept over her like a fog in the fall mornings.  God was good.  There was truly peace in the world - or at least in this family on this day. She was truly thankful!!

And, Grandma Diana was happy.  No, that wasn’t quite accurate. She was overcome with JOY!!!

*****

My friends, I've heard people say "Life is short" for years. Make-up with your family. Thanksgiving is a great time to forgive and reconcile!!!

LOVE WINS!!!