You know what I made for Thanksgiving?

Reservations.

My sister Linda is in a wheelchair.  My sister Linda recently had her hip replacement replaced.  For some time, the prosthesis in her hip was shedding bits of metal and her body had an immune response and all hell broke loose in her body – it’s called particle disease and it’s pretty awful.  But hopefully after surgery at Henry Ford Hospital she can put it behind her.  She might have to use a walker from here on, but it’ll be better than a wheelchair.

Anyhow, nobody has a wheelchair accessible home.

But just around from our house is Apple Mountain and they do a buffet and the law requires them to be wheelchair accessible!  (Not that Michigan is ADA friendly, mostly they act like they never heard of it, but apparently Apple Mountain is paying attention.)

I picked Linda up from her post-surgery nursing home and took her back; so that was easy. 

It worked out very well.  Everyone was fed, good conversation was had, and Linda was able to join us.  Us being, me, my dear husband, (Grandma) Linda, Linda’s son and his wife, their son, and Grandma Cilla. 

I only see Max (my nephew) about once a year; and he’s such a cool person.  I sat next to him and demanded he tell me EVERYTHING that’s going on in his life.  It was terrific. 

Had one moment of panic. 

They sat us at a booth and a table (don’t know why they couldn’t accommodate us at one table, there was certainly enough room to do that); me Max, and Grandma Cilla were in the booth.  When we got up to go to the buffet, I found out that the booth was much lower than I expected.  And yours truly could not get up!  I tried and tried, and finally was able to grab a piece of the booth and pull myself to my feet.  Whew.  Grandma Cilla went and grabbed a chair and put it at the booth so we didn’t have a repeat performance.  Good thing, I was about to tell Max and Cilla to each grab a cheek and push!

The reason I couldn’t stand (besides the fact that I’m a fat old lady) is my right knee is trashed.  I may blog about it later.  But trust me when I say, it’s a mess and standing up is a real adventure in the best of circumstances.

We ate, talked for a very long time (we were the first to arrive, and pretty much the last to leave – that’s what happens when you only see family once a year and you really, really enjoy their company); and then we all went our separate ways.  No left overs (and most disappointing – no pumpkin pie!  Who does a Thanksgiving Day buffet with no pumpkin pie?), and no clean up (and no having to clean my messy house beforehand – talk about win-win-win).

And then today, my sister Karon and her husband were going to be near us getting some labs done, and we got together with them for breakfast/lunch.  So we have done family and family and it has been truly lovely. 

I don’t believe in God, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel truly blessed.  And I hope you all feel the same.