Thank God

As a young boy and well into my teen years, our family spent Thanksgiving in a most traditional manner. While the ladies readied the Thanksgiving feast, the fellas headed out to see the season finale football game between arch-rivals East St. Louis High and Belleville Township High. The game matched two premier Illinois downstate prep gridiron programs, which attracted a mid-morning crowd of approximately 10,000 fans. Once state high school sports associations developed end of season football playoffs those Thanksgiving Contest disappeared. Any way, post-game destination was Grandma/Grandpa Roustio's house in lower Washington Park (East St. Louis). To be exact...56th street in 'The Park' where most of the Roustio Clan lived.

Pondering my yesteryear's, I never imagined that one day (2017), Gerry and I would be the grandparent's house of destination. Our son, Steve & daughter in-law Kathy's family will not be joining us for Thanksgiving due to his basketball coaching duties. That means our Thanksgiving gathering number will only number just 19 instead of 30...that's right, the Christmas gang will be 30.
One neat sidebar is these days finds introductions to grandkids' significant 'others.'

Actually, the nineteen adults attacking turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, various casserole dishes and too many desserts will bring some family pets. We're talking six dogs. One rather large docile-shedding Golden Retriever, one fluffy Teddy Bear pup, a temperamental Malti-Poo and two Morkies...one of which is referenced as a demon-dog...that would be the Mini-Morkie who could benefit from an exorcist. House Poodle Yodie rounds out the six canines and be assured he will be protective of his  stuffed-bear, which he will 'hump' a few times in front of guests. It must be a possessive thing.?

The day is filled with laughter, games, recall and the gentle and not so gentle jabs that only siblings can embrace. My wife and I feel most blessed. We deeply appreciate our children and grandchildren wishing to 'come' for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We do not take the blessings for granted...never have we.

 Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only two nights that I take a flashlight to bed. Let me explain. We have a large 4-bedroom home that comes short of bedding 19-to-30 people. Therefore, blow-up beds are in order making floor space congested. That said, an old fart making a few late night 'pee treks' needs to negotiate the darkened-maze of bodies!
(Touch)Family Thanksgiving