This might be my very favorite Thanksgiving photo of all time. Liam, my five-year-old nephew, really loves corn. However, eating corn can be a bit of a challenge when you’re still developing your hand-eye coordination. He solved the problem admirably.
Thanksgiving was pretty delightful, even though it ended too soon because the Tibbles had to go their Dad’s house. This did not go over well with Cade who shouted angrily, “I don’t want to go to Dad’s. His house doesn’t have any Legos.”
The Harry Potter Lego Castle was a huge success. If I hadn’t promised to leave it at Sister #2’s house for the Tibbles to see after school tomorrow, I’d have much better pictures*.
Sadly, on Friday we learned that my mom has to have chemo and radiation. I say sadly, only because it has kind of thrown me for a loop. I had wholly convinced myself that after the surgery we’d be done with cancer nonsense and go back to regular life. Knowing that she now has to go through chemo (everything of which I know about comes from Lucy Grealy’s amazing Autobiography of a Face) and will lose her hair and be in pain has upset me. Rationally and logically I understand the need and why the doctor is taking this course of action. But emotionally I just don’t want her to have to deal with.
It sucks, but having to deal with cancer again in five years would suck even harder. Right?
On a happier note, we had Rock & Roll Bookclub at Supergenius HQ last night. I haven’t mentioned lately but I love my bookclub with a passion. It’s so warm and comfortable. Plus, last night Wolfdogg brought back the rock.
When he pulled out the guitar all the kids filtered into the living room, filling the spots on the couch and on the floor trying to get closer to the music. We’re all shy violets when he first starts playing but after a few songs we’re all singing along.
At one point, Delilah, Wolfdogg’s twelve-year-old daughter, sat down at his feet. He launched into Murder in the City by The Avett Brothers and they sang the song together. Delilah has a beautiful voice and the song is about loving your family. It’s touching.
In the middle of the song, I happened to look over to Heather who was sitting next to me.
“Are you crying?” I asked.
She shook her head yes.
“Is it the song?”
“Yeah,” she said. “I’m a mushy crybaby.”
“So am I,” I said. “I cried at a Folgers’ commercial this weekend. Do you need a Kleenex?”
“You have one?” she asked.
“Of course,” I said, handing her the box. “I cry at commercials.”
Then I promptly started crying because the moment and the song and the whole thing was so beautiful. I cry just typing about it. I wish you all could have been there.
*I’ve developed a bit of an Instagram addiction. I know it doesn’t make me a photographer. If all those photography classes in college couldn’t make me a photog, or the six years I spent working in digital photography didn’t do it, you can rest assured that I realize an iPhone app isn’t gonna do it for me. I’m okay with that. I just wanted to make that clear before you got on a high horse and started yammering about it. Okay?