What's A Family?

I must say, Ms J, this has been the best Thanksgiving I've had in ... well, ever! And I didn't see my family at all. Now don't misunderstand me. I love my family. I was invited to Mum and Dad's to take supper with them and a few assorted family members, but Mum had her turkey dinner on Saturday. That was the night of my date with Carol. I didn't want to break my date. Anyway, my brother was planning to be elsewhere and so were two of my four sisters. So it was destined to be a much diminished affair, compared to years past.

I had two delicious dinners, though - one on Sunday and another today. This year, Thanksgiving was shared with friends.

I drove over to Christine's house this afternoon and together we went to the home of a dear friend, Victoria. Victoria is an older lady, mother to seven grown children, all with red hair. Leigh Ann is one of them. She's a twin. I first met Leigh Ann in a play we did together with a local theatre group about three years ago. I met Christine the same way. I'm blessed to count these beautiful souls among my closest friends.

Victoria's home was soon filled with happy guests and the mouth-watering aroma of turkey and dressing and other culinary delights wafted from the cozy-warm kitchen. At first, I was glad Christine was with me. Leigh Ann and her mum were the only ones I really knew. But I'm a pretty gregarious guy (nowadays, post Donna) and I introduced Christine and myself and soon felt at home.

There were perhaps thirty people in that house: nephews and in-laws and an aunt and great-aunt who'd come all the way from California. And of course, there were Leigh Ann's siblings: Ron, Rob, Randy, Laura Lynn (her twin), Melissa, and Miranda, the youngest. All with boyfriends, husbands, wives, children. Gosh, there was quite a crowd. How honoured I felt to be part of their family celebration!

It was about 8:00 when Christine quietly asked if we could go home.

"I've got to prepare a presentation for work tomorrow, Daley."

"OK, Steenie," I said. "Let's go round and say our good-byes."

So we did. I gave Victoria and Leigh Ann warm hugs and told them both how pleased I was to be included. Christine did too. I really felt welcome in that home tonight. Like family. Good food. Good friends. The Germans have a word to describe that atmosphere. Gemuetlichkeit. There is no direct translation, but it means comfortable, cozy, warm, friendly-like.

I dropped Christine off at her home and hugged her good-bye and I smiled nearly all the way home. It's been an absolutely delightful Thanksgiving weekend, Ms J. Could it be that my "family" is much larger than I thought?