My thanksgiving this year has been so strange. But through the strangeness sometimes the greatest feelings of gratitude are born. It's been a quiet day spent at home, with Ben sick on the couch and Charlie gone. Andy and I sat and had some thanksgiving leftovers together, just the two of us. Ben was able to have a little pie and a roll. It's the smallest and quietest Thanksgiving I've ever experienced.
Most of my family knows that Ben was in the ER on Monday night with bad kidney stone pain (which is "old hat" for him and he usually toughs it out) but this time he was throwing up and couldn't keep down water so he finally went in for some relief.
Four hours and one cat scan later we learn that the stone he is passing is the size of a peanut and there's many more much larger ones that would be impossible to pass. Anyone who has had a kidney stone knows that they are agony and a peanut is HUGE. We are waiting till next week and he'll meet with a specialist to see how to deal with all the rest.
He has had no progress and so he's still medicated and waiting, waiting. We were supposed to go to Manti today for Thanksgiving but he isn't well enough to go. So last night I sent my Charlie off to Manti till Saturday night with his aunt and uncle.
This is where the gratitude begins. Ben's sister Laura and her husband Bret have been so amazing to us. We love them so much. Laura babysits my kids twice a week while I work, and does a great job. They are always helping us out. They were so willing to take Charlie down there with him and the rest of the family was so glad Charlie could join them. I'm so thankful that I have such a wonderful in-law family to call my own. They are all warm and loving and fun people and I feel blessed to have them in my life. My son is so lucky to be able to spend this holiday with his wonderful Grandma Nita, aunts, uncles and cousins, and Grandpa Bob and Grandma Gayle.
When my parents heard about our situation, they drove an hour and a half to bring us a Thanksgiving dinner. I can't cook much because Ben is right in the middle of tiling my kitchen floor, I have no oven or running water in the kitchen. My brother Lance came along and he and my Dad gave Ben a blessing. I am thankful for the Priesthood and the comfort it can bring in times of illness. I'm so thankful for my parents and siblings and the support and love they show us. Lynette's husband Jared is probably going to come and finish our tiling and I appreciate it SO much. I know it's a lot of time and work. I come from a great family and I love each and every one of them!
I'm so thankful for my wonderful sons who brighten my life. I miss Charlie already so much, but we've also enjoyed giving Andy some one on one time. They are great kids, healthy and happy kids. We are so blessed.
I am thankful for my loving husband Ben. When someone is sick and the worry sets in it also makes you hyper-aware of how much you love someone. He is my rock, and I love him dearly. He is a wonderful husband, kind, patient, hardworking, self-sacrificing and fun. He's also a great Dad and my kids really look up to their Daddy. They come running with arms wide open every time he comes home from work. Please send your prayers out for Ben and a speedy recovery.
I'm thankful for my good girlfriends. I am thankful for my good home, neighbors, job, and life.
My day today may have been quiet and strange, but it really has also helped me realize all of the things in it that make it so good.
Happy Thanksgiving!
