Oh the Little Things

So I just got back from a Thanksgiving dinner with my mother, brothers and our families.  It was a little bit different this year as it wasn't the traditional celebration which we typically hold in one of our homes. No, this year it was held at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center.

You see, my  82 year old mother was seriously injured in a car accident on July 19th and things have been less than normal ever since.

So today, the staff at the nursing home prepared Thanksgiving dinner for all the residents and all their families.  Turkey, potatoes and gravy - you know, the traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings.  It's such a tremendous under-taking.  I can't even begin to imagine preparing a meal for 225 people!

Anyway, as you might suspect, this is a pretty big deal for the home and for the residents.  It takes a lot of planning and preparation to make a perfect day for all the invited guests.

So last night I made a trip to the nursing home with my curlers and dippety-do in tow.  Grandma had to look her best for the celebration.  I've been playing hair dresser for my mom ever since she took up her new residency, so it was the normal tuck and curl session until mom spoke up with a bit of hesitation.

"I'm a bit nervous," she said.

"About what?" I asked.

"Tomorrow," she admitted.

"But why?" I quizzed. " You don"t have to prepare the meal.  Your don't even have to set the table.  You just have to show up and enjoy!"

"I don't know," she admitted.  "I just am!"

I continued to curl her silver gray hair as her wrinkled, well aged hands handed me the curlers.  My thoughts turned to the days when my mother spent hour upon hour preparing the perfect holiday meal for  us.  She enjoyed the holidays and she loved putting her special touch on each and every intricate detail.

I wondered.  How could I reassure her that tomorrow would be alright and why is she so nervous anyway?  Then it occurred to me.  She had every reason to be nervous. Tomorrow she would view and be viewed by the public for the first time since her accident.  Tomorrow she would be seated around the table with her family for the first time since in four months.  Tomorrow she would be facing a new kind of normalcy and as exciting as it was, there was still a bit of hesitancy.  I wondered
if she kind of felt like us kids did the night before Christmas.  Looking forward to tomorrow but not quite knowing what to expect.

Then she broke the silence with a simple request.  "Diane," she said.  "Would you please remember to bring up a pair of earrings for me tomorrow?  I haven't worn earrings since the accident."

"Sure mom.  Sure."  Earrings.  She missed dressing up and she missed wearing her earrings.  Who would have ever thought?

So today we gathered for our Thanksgiving Day celebration.  Mom looked beautiful.  She had her earrings, but more importantly, we had each other.  Dear God, thanks for this very special day  and thanks for giving us another day to love, embrace and appreciate.  This is a Thanksgiving I will never forget.  God is good.  Thanks be to God!