Make yourself comfortable - maybe get a cup of coffee, tea or something stronger as this may be a very long letter! A lot has happened in the past few weeks - I did not realize I hadn't written to you for so long. What do they say that the intention is strong but flesh is weak? Well, I guess that about sums it up.
We are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of the newest DeMerit baby. Karen isn't due until December 15 but who's counting ... the hours...the minutes...the seconds...until we can joyfully welcome a healthy, please God, new life into our family - the Sweeney DeMerit clan. We are a fortunate group as we have - the DeMerits and the Sweeneys - really did merge into one big family at the time of Karen and Joe's nuptials. I think we are so lucky to be a united family who have a great deal of fun together. It is too bad we live so far apart but our reunions are top shelf!
Thanksgiving was a lovely day in spite of me. I did not think it was going to be such a jolly day as I was not up to preparing and entertaining. However, in swooped my family - Joe and Karen did most of the cooking; Kate straightened up and got the table ready; Joan and Bill made incredible macaroni; Jennifer and Anthony made pumpkin squares that were not only delicious but beautiful; I did manage to make the turkey and stuffing - and decorate the bird as befitting the guest of honor; Jack did a lot of straightening up around the house inside and out. It was great fun and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed the Jacques Torres chocolates that Anthony's parents sent me - and I hid so I would not have to share. I confess, it was selfish but thoroughly enjoyable. I think either Kate or Joe took a photo of the decorated turkey so if they send me a copy I will post it in a future entry to this blog. All the gals straightened up the dining room and the kitchen, doing all the dishes and putting away the leftovers. I am eternally grateful to Joan, Jennifer, Kate, and Karen for all this hard work.
You may wonder why I make such an issue of the turkey's presentation and I will tell you that when I was growing up, I never saw the entire bird presented a la Norman Rockwell. It was always stripped of its skin and cut in the kitchen and then put on the table. When I took over cooking Thanksgiving 40 years ago, I made up my mind that the turkey would always be "dressed up" and shown off before it was served. I've been lucky so far as each bird has come out the right color and if parts of it fell off (like the wings) I just stuck them back on and held them in place with a piece of fruit. One tradition I keep is that this is all done on my great grandmother's plate which is chipped and bruised but too full of memories to me to cast aside. It might be even older than great grandmother or from a flea market but I always remember it on the table of my childhood.
Many thanks to those of you who kept in touch in spite of my absence from writing. As you know I was in the hospital for a week and then it took some time to gather my strength and wits back! AND, it had nothing to do with the cancer which is still being kept in check by the Miracle Pills and prayer.
My good and dear friend, Dan Redmond, left this earth on December 1. God was merciful to take Dan quickly although it left so many hearts broken here. Dan was ready to go and anxious to see his beloved wife, Mary, who has been gone too long. His funeral was, as funerals should be, a fine farewell gathering - a celebration of his life. Dan was one of the most extraordinary people I ever met. I apply the word "good" to Dan - and good in the purest sense of the word. Dan was simply good - there was goodness in his every act. He loved and he laughed and he wept and he forgave and he loved some more. One would normally say "May his soul rest in peace" but I think in Dan's case, he'd much rather his soul continue the Great Party with some very Illustrious Guests. I will miss my friend but know he is but a thought away.
The cycle of life goes on.....we turn from our sadness to look forward to the joy we anticipate at the coming birth and the dear family baby, Mason Henry Farmer, who arrived in Las Vegas to Sarah and Terrence Farmer, and he is grandson to Patty Joyce Farmer.
God is great in His blessings to me and my family. Last year this time I was not sure I would see another holiday and now I eagerly look forward to many more....thanks to your prayers, an incredible medical team, the Miracle Pill and the support of so many special friends.
So, my journey continues with a heart full of hope and the courage to believe!
As always, love from me to you!
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