Two awesome things happened last week on Thanksgiving. First, I was able to eat with my family! I didn't have to take a "plate" to work--that's no fun because you can't get seconds. There was none of that Charcoal Grey Thursday/Black Friday retail bullshizz for me! Being fired from the retail latrine has been the gift that keeps on giving, I tell ya. (I did find a job at another store, though, but THAT's another post. I'm behind, and trying to post things kind of in order.)
The second and sweetest thing was being able to spend some quality time with my not-so-little-anymore 2nd cousin, Munchkin. She's 18 now, smart--she plans to go to nursing school--and gorgeous. I just wonder where the time went. She was the first baby in our immediate family in almost 20 years, and yes, we spoiled her. She was always an awesome kid. We spent the first 4 years of her life like peanut butter and jelly. I was a free babysitter, and I didn't mind at all. She was the baby that gave me practice changing diapers, potty training, and putting a toddler through pacifier rehabilitation. She was my cartoon buddy, my source for a good laugh, and she always made me feel wanted and loved.
Lord knows I love her like my own to this day. Then her mom moved to the neighboring town, and I didn't get to see her as often. Before I knew anything, her teen years had set in, and you know they do teen things. We talked and texted sometimes but didn't hang out. In May, she graduated from high school. I woke up sick that morning and had a serious crying jag that day because I thought I wouldn't be able to make the ceremony. I managed to drag my ass in there, though, and I am so glad.
Anyways, after Thanksgiving dinner with the family last week, I had packed up a to-go plate and was about to leave my auntie's house. As I was saying my goodbyes, she said shyly, "Well I was hoping you'd stay longer..." Ohhhhhh, at that moment, the angels sang a song only heard by me. On the inside, I was all like:
I sat and chatted with her for another 2 hours or so, and she walked around to my chair and put her arm around my shoulder. She stood for awhile, then leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. Just like she did once when she was 3 years old and woke up at her grandparents' house thinking they'd left her there alone. The first person she thought to call was me, and I went running. It turns out her grandpa had gone outside to do some yard work while she was asleep. I went in the house and picked her up and carried her to the window so she could see papa was there. Then I helped her get dressed. As I tied her shoes, she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. There's no way she can remember that, is there??? All I know is I never ever forgot. I may not have experienced morning sickness, childbirth, or stretch marks, but I have experienced "mother love," thanks to my Muchkin, and it's amazing.
So that's the story of what I consider to be the best Thanksgiving ever. I'm easily pleased.
The second and sweetest thing was being able to spend some quality time with my not-so-little-anymore 2nd cousin, Munchkin. She's 18 now, smart--she plans to go to nursing school--and gorgeous. I just wonder where the time went. She was the first baby in our immediate family in almost 20 years, and yes, we spoiled her. She was always an awesome kid. We spent the first 4 years of her life like peanut butter and jelly. I was a free babysitter, and I didn't mind at all. She was the baby that gave me practice changing diapers, potty training, and putting a toddler through pacifier rehabilitation. She was my cartoon buddy, my source for a good laugh, and she always made me feel wanted and loved.
Anyways, after Thanksgiving dinner with the family last week, I had packed up a to-go plate and was about to leave my auntie's house. As I was saying my goodbyes, she said shyly, "Well I was hoping you'd stay longer..." Ohhhhhh, at that moment, the angels sang a song only heard by me. On the inside, I was all like:
I sat and chatted with her for another 2 hours or so, and she walked around to my chair and put her arm around my shoulder. She stood for awhile, then leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. Just like she did once when she was 3 years old and woke up at her grandparents' house thinking they'd left her there alone. The first person she thought to call was me, and I went running. It turns out her grandpa had gone outside to do some yard work while she was asleep. I went in the house and picked her up and carried her to the window so she could see papa was there. Then I helped her get dressed. As I tied her shoes, she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. There's no way she can remember that, is there??? All I know is I never ever forgot. I may not have experienced morning sickness, childbirth, or stretch marks, but I have experienced "mother love," thanks to my Muchkin, and it's amazing.
So that's the story of what I consider to be the best Thanksgiving ever. I'm easily pleased.
