/**/
11/27/2008

Thanksgiving 2008

There is a great long list I've been working on, in my head, for days. All the really meaningful things in my life that I am truly grateful for. All those many things and people for which I give thanks, sometimes daily, sometimes once in a while, sometimes nowhere near enough. But at this moment, as I write this, my heart and mind are elsewhere, my concerns are more immediate and they have served to push from my mind that whole great long list.

My friend Mark is in the hospital. Annie is getting him settled into his room and I am at Mark's house watching over his sleeping sons. It is as they sleep, unaware that their Dad is ill, that I am writing this. My Thanksgiving post.

Mark is in his mid forties. He, like me, is probably a bit larger than he should be, but has always enjoyed reasonably good health. However, although I don't feel comfortable discussing his medical issues here(they are, and should be, private), suffice it to say a sudden appearance of potentially life threatening issues is disconcerting to all concerned, to say the very least. And this, suddenly, becomes the focus of all of our concentration and attention.

Some of you may already know that Annie provides child care for Mark's two boys, 5 days a week. This is not a job. There is no compensation involved here. It's done out of love and friendship. Before Mark and his ex-wife were divorced the 4 of us were the closest of friends. When she left, it just seemed natural to all of us that Annie continue to render the child care she had already done for two years before they split. Annie's presence has helped to minimize the impact, on those two little boys, of the fact that their Mom left the family. She is their stability right now. She has been MY stability always.

So on this Thanksgiving Day, my list has been shortened. To one, for now. I am thankful for Annie. For 31 plus years of Annie. For all that we have been through together and all that we have yet to do, together.

If you don't mind, I'll do the rest of my list tomorrow.

Peace.

26 comments:

Eric S. said...

Lou, you are a truly good man. I would say that both you and Annie are lucky for having each other. Mark also is very lucky to have the both of you as friends.

My thoughts and best wishes go out to Mark and his boys. I hope that all fares well for Mark.

Try to have a happy Thanksgiving, even though there are difficult times upon you.

Anonymous said...

I am thankful that I found you and in turn Annie through you.

You are both truly wonderful people.

I will keep Mark and his boys in my thoughts.

Shadow said...

this is the best thanksgiving wish i've seen! you are special. so too is annie. a golden heart!

Unknown said...

Your Annie is such a good person. My son has found a woman who lives across the street from him to take care of my 12 year old grandson, after his wife left him and took the baby with her at the beginning of this month. I was really worried about what might happen to my grandson when she left (she was his stepmother, he has lived with his Dad since the first wife left when he was 6.) I don't know the name of the woman who is watching Michael while his dad goes to work, but I am very thankful that she is there.

Myst_72 said...

Lou you are a truly fantastic person, and an even better friend.

I hope your friend is going to be o.k. - and I'm so glad (as I'll bet is he) that he has Annie and yourself to watch over his sons.

Blessings to you all,

G
xxx

Jientje said...

Mark and the boys are so lucky to have Annie and you as friends. Doing what you and Annie do for them is more than just an act of friendship, they are more like family I guess? I hope he is going to be okay soon, those boys have already gone through so much, "loosing" their mom like they have.
I can see why Annie is your number one top of the list. As it should be, 31 years is a very long history!
Happy Thanksgiving, I'm sure the both of you will make the best out of it for the boys!

witchypoo said...

I'm thankful that those boys have you and Annie as a constant in their lives. Now, more than ever, they need that.

MissyBoo said...

I hope Mark makes a speedy recovery, and is home with the boys very soon.

You and Annie are amazing! I hope you tell Annie often, how much you love and appreciate her!

Christy said...

Best thoughts to Mark, and you all....

RiverPoet said...

I will pray that your friend Mark comes through all of this with flying colors and good health. What wonderful people you are to help in his time of need. That's what friends are for.

(Found you through Linda)

Peace, and Happy Thanksgiving! D

Tara R. said...

Prayers for your friend Mark and his family. it sounds like you were as lucky finding your Annie as I was in finding my Eddie. I could not survive without him. Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear your friend's health is not good... Keep us posted as you can and as is appropriate.

Sage Ravenwood said...

What a beautiful heartfelt post dear friend. It's something like this thankful beyond measure we all must remember.

I'll be keeping your friend Mark in my prayers on the smoke (I'm native, it's my way of prayers). (Hugs)Indigo

www.ayewonder.com said...

Lou, the very best to you and your's. Happy Thanksgiving, laddie.

Zoeyjane said...

I'll be thinking of them, of you, all. I hope Thanksgiving brings news to be thankful for.

Crimzen Creative said...

This brings tears both sad and happy. Annie is a wonderful person and you are a lucky guy. I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving :-)

Eve Grey said...

Lou, that was the sweetest, most tender, loving post. You are both wonderful people who focus on each other's gifts and humanity. With everyone splitting up around me, you both are very inspiring.
I wish Mark good health.

Anonymous said...

Good luck to all of you. And Happy holidays.

Nan Sheppard said...

It's good to have good friends. I am thankful for mine: If anything happened to me, my kids would be well cared for too. Your friend will be able to recuperate, heal and get better quicker, knowing that all is well at home.

Momisodes said...

I am so sorry to hear about Mark. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

You and Annie are so fortunate to have found each other. I am so glad the boys have you both in their lives.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful and fitting that your list is short and very sweet. Annie is a very lucky woman!

Melissa said...

It may be short, but it's a great list. Happy Thanksgiving. :)

Unknown said...

Eric S: and

Kelley: and

Shadow: and

Karen: and

Myst_72: and

Jientje: and

Witchypoo: and

M+B: and

Christy: and

RiverPoet: and

Tara R: and

Rebecca: and

Indigo: and

Ayewonder: and

Zoeyjane: and

Lady Language: and

Eve Grey: and

Loraine: and

Nan: and

Momisodes: and

Bama Cheryl: and

Melissa: Welcome, each of you, to my list of people I am giving thanks for. I have said it before and I am now going to say it again- I love you all. Even you new guys just commenting for the first or second time here. And some who didn't make it here today. All of you.

Anonymous said...

Lou, you and Annie both are just such good people, and I'm glad that Mark and his boys have friends like you. I'm sending good thoughts because that's all I know to do. Oh, and some hugs, too.

Anonymous said...

Hugs & Love & the best of well-wishes to Mark!

Unknown said...

Oh Lou. I'm sorry to hear about your friend. For what it's worth, I'll send him white light and pray for his recovery.