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If any of you read my "A Mother's Nightmare" you know that it ended with Mike wanting to come to Kentucky for Thanksgiving. If you haven't read it, may I suggest that you read it first and then come back to this one. This is the ending of the beginning. My husband of 16 and 1/2 years was helping me and we were both so excited. What a very special Thanksgiving this would be, I could feel it. Then the rain started; pouring, lightning, thunder, wind and a Mother's biggest fear, children driving in bad weather. Jay finally went to bed around 10, and I settled down in front of my computer to pass the time. I was chatting with my good friend and surrogate sister Karen from SC, she of course had to listen to me worry. She reassured me that everything would be fine, they were just late due to the rain. I knew she was right, but the Mother in me still worried. Finally around 11 PM Paul and his troupe arrived. It was so good to see them, Kaya looked like she had grown a foot although we had just seen her in October. After kissing and playing with her, she was put to bed as she was exhausted from the trip. After a little hugs and chitchat Paul and Theresa went off to bed also. Now half my heart was complete, I just needed the other half. I stayed on the computer with Karen awhile and then talked to some other friends. Finally about 2 AM I laid down on the couch. I awoke to the ringing of the phone and grabbed it, glancing at the clock. It was almost 4 AM, "We're here" Mike said, but how do we get to your house. Well Mike had never been here to visit and we do live about 25 miles from town, not to mention over a winding, high mountainous road. So I jumped up and ran to meet them. I drove way to fast I know, but I couldn't wait. It had been about a year and a half since I had last seen them, I was EXCITED! When I got to the station I had told them to meet me at, I couldn't believe Zachary, what a little Man. So big and so handsome (looks like me so I have been told). We started to get into our cars for the journey home and Mike said "Hey Zach wants to ride with you". I was thrilled. We had a nice talk on the way home ( though we were both sleepy and tired), he was a delight. The Thanksgiving dinner went without a hitch. I looked at that table and saw everyone that I love with all my heart. I was a happy woman. This was the first Thanksgiving in my or their lives that Mike and Paul spent together. Paul was born in December of 1972 and Mike was taken in October of 1973, so they had never in their lives sat down to a Thanksgiving dinner together. What a joyful heart I had at that table, my cup truly did runneth over. I saw such love at that table and so many faces that I can't bear to think of living without. The next day was beautiful, sunny and around 70 degrees. We spent the day outside, Zach loved to feed the Cows and the poor Cows were really stuffed while he was here. Wanted to feed them 4 or 5 times a day. To hear him call them " COME BOSSSSSSS" was such a kick. We pulled Kaya around in the big red wagon and had a great afternoon. Since it was so nice we thought, hey, while the boys are here let's put up the outside Christmas lights. So, while I mowed the lawn for the last time until spring they put up my lights. What a joyous sight. Some people may say what is the big deal, so they put up lights. Well, if you have never had both your children at one time out in the yard throwing a baseball to each other and batting it and climbing in trees and just being KIDS( something I had never witnessed with the two of them you would understand). I treasure that day in my heart and I have taken out little pieces of it every day since and held it up to the light of soul and relived the simple pleasures that most people take for granted. I had my two boys together in my yard on a warm sunny day, playing ball and just being KIDS something they had never been able to do in their 26 and 28 year old lives........My cup runneth over......... And after all had gone home, I went into the yard at night and I looked up at the roof at the lights shining there, and the ones on the trees and I knew......I am blessed.....And I am a Mother to two wonderful young men. I love you Michael and Paul with all my heart. The joy you gave me on those two days can never be matched. MOM |