Thanksgiving Traditions

 For the past several years, the DePoy family has been gathering at Aunt Jen's house in Muskegon for Thanksgiving. It's always a time of laughter and memories and a lot of chaos! 

This year, Mariah joined us from GVSU, and we all rode together in the same car. We don't get the chance to do that very often anymore, and I wondered about what things might be like when you're away at college in a couple of years, and it will leave only Ashlyn with us. How sad will that day be? 

Yesterday we pulled into the driveway immediately as Hanna and Andrew were behind us. Walking up the driveway into Jen's house, I looked around and inhaled grace and exhaled gratitude. I pointed at the idyllic farm house vibe, and the warm November breeze... "Is this a scene in a holiday movie?" 

Grandma Judy greeted us at the door, with one fist in the air and one knee raised to celebrate! She squealed as she greeted each grandchild entering the house. "Precious to my heart!" In each room was a cousin or an uncle or aunt or Grandpa in his chair, and the game on. We all caught up on each other's random updates (school, sports, relationships), and after a flurry of DePoy chaos, it was finally time to eat. Grandpa always have to give a "Devotional Thought", and this time Grandma Judy said a thanksgiving prayer. 

We watched the Detroit Lions disappoint us every year. At halftime it is always time to play some football in the back yard! We all scrambled to arrange teams, and you watched on the back deck. I looked over at you and called out, "Ambria, why aren't you out here?! Come play quarterback!" 

You trotted over, no doubt reminiscing on your recent skills displayed at the Powder Puff game, and took the first snap. You tried to pass it to an open Grandpa, but suddenly David Lee came out of Korea or Taiwon or whatever and intercepted the pass! (What?! Where did he come from??)

After the game we took turns petting the sheep and chicken and random other animals... Back inside the house with coffee and turkey and apple pie and more football. You and Teresa started working on a difficult puzzle, but couldn't find the corner pieces. My brother and I were arguing over Grandma Judy loves more. You know, sibling rivalry stuff. 

Driving home in the late afternoon. Mariah was being Chatty Kathy, talking about life at college and how she wants a surfboard for Christmas. We reminisced on the soft, rolling waves in Sayulita. I looked in the rearview mirror, and you had fallen asleep with your head leaning against the window. Ashlyn was sleeping on your shoulder. 

Be still my heart. 

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