Thanksgiving Day began early for Jeana and me.  Nick and Meredith did not arrive home from Dallas until just before midnight.  The traffic was terrible and construction was existent.  The result . . . a slow trip home.

This morning after getting up early and having my quiet time, I woke up to the smell of Thanksgiving lunch already happening.  With a 9:00 a.m. practice scheduled at Shiloh, Nick and I went by, picked up Peyton, arriving at the Field of Champions to observe the traditional Thanksgiving walk-through practice.  We wanted Peyton to be a part of the tradition.  He was and it was special.

Nick, Peyton, and I talked to my Mom on the way home, wishing her a new kind of Thanksgiving Day with Dad being gone.  They were heading to the cemetery at 11:00 a.m. with the rest of the family, returning for a mid-afternoon lunch at my brother’s home.  Traditionally, always at Mom’s and Dad’s, but all believed it would be best to be changed at least for this year.  So after Mom had lived her first 168 hours without Dad, I conversed with her for a while, let her talk to Nick, and then we placed the phone in Peyton’s ear to hear his Great Grandmother say, "Happy Thanksgiving Peyton."

Upon arrival at home, I carved the turkey . . . garbed in an apron, hands covered with gloves, I performed surgery on this awesome turkey that Jeana prepared for everyone. The next several minutes welcomed people into our home.

Oh before everyone arrived, I asked Peyton to smile for Meredith and I IF THE SAINTS WERE GOING TO WIN ON FRIDAY NIGHT . . . of which he did . . . I asked him three different times and he smiled each time….Wow!  Now if we lose, he will not become a broadcaster.  If we win, watch out ESPN!

About 11:45 a.m. all the Shiloh Christian Football full-time Coaches and families were with us in our home for lunch. Before we ate, we took five minutes to share together some moments and people we were thankful for, followed by a prayer for all of our families.  Then, we chowed down with eagerness and intensity.

We watched the ball game for a while and due to a late afternoon departure for the team to Texarkana for the evening, the coaches began to leave fairly early. Some of their families were going to leave today and stay with family located nearby. Pray for all of their safety.

Before Josh and Kate left, I sat them down with Nick, Meredith, Peyton, and Jeana and handed to them, "special gifts of jewelry that were worn by their Papa who had died one week ago.  These gifts were thought through carefully by their Grandma and who she wanted to have which gift and why.  So, that time was special as we shared some of Dad’s jewelry with both boys.

So, late afternoon, Jeana and I retired up to the best room in the home for a nap and we slept through the second quarter of the Cowboy game.  Now, I am blogging for you.  Nick and Meredith still asleep, the Cowboys down by 7 points.

I told my Mom today, "Touch the grave, tell Dad I love him and miss him."  She promised she would.  Oh my, people without faith experience such horrifying finality of death.  It has been hard enough on us even with faith that is strong and grounded.

I hope you have had a very special day with someone.  God bless and know that you are loved.