Tuesday, November 20, 2007

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I am trying to get "geared up" for the big day, but I am in mourning, it seems, again and again, over the loss of our beloved Yia-Yia(Greek for Grandmother)...
November 23rd, it'll be TWENTY YEARS since she passed, and I still miss her as much as I did the day she died(perhaps more).
Yia-Yia was lamb with olive oil, Greek salad, a splash of red wine.She was a yellow flowered apron, and admonitions of "No candy, Lisa, you'll spoil your appetite."(the candy NEVER "spoiled" my appetite--her cooking was always amazing).
Hers was the house we went to, most Sundays. Every birthday. She was also the best advice a young lady could receive:"Wait to get married, you have plenty of time."(Boy, did I take my time!)and "Here, you're a young lady now, you may want to read this. I thought of you when I saw it." It was a book of Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself", and "Leaves of Grass" poetry--complete with photographs of semi-nude people, running down hillsides, and through meadows.This was the late 1970's, and she sensed I had "come-of-age", I suppose. What a delight it was(still is) to have had her in my life.
Yia-Yia, I miss our talks--you told me, again and again, you enjoyed writing; it seems I've developed that love, too.
Thank you for all your kindnesses. Our family is the better for having had YOU in it.

Now, on to Charlotte, to gather with honey Hansoo's family. My own Mom will be at her brother's,(I could not talk Mom into coming away for Thanksgiving this year); perhaps she'll make lamb.I'll see her later on Thanksgiving night, and I'll go see old friend, Vim, too, as I usually do.
My sis Tina and hubby are at their home, in Florida, as is my lovely niece, Breaz.
Daddy is in Indiana, with his extended family; Beloved Aunt Carolyn is in central Florida, with her large family;Cuz Gigi and Andrea, I miss you--can't wait 'til you make Atlanta your new home(we can always visit Long Beach, CA!); Cuz Bon-Bon and family are in Northern California, Cuz Jayne and family, far south in California.......
To all the readers, friends, extended family reading this:
Peace, Prayers, and PLENTY of feasting, and frivolity for You and Yours.
Please Post a Comment to me, I'd love to hear from you!!

3 comments:

Collin Kelley said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Lisa. :)

Rosa said...

What a nice tribute to your grandmother!

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

I ran the half marathon in the morning and was totally pooped afterwards. I think the rain and the wind zapped my remaining energy.

I know you wanted to run the half this year...perhaps next year we can all train for it together.

Lisa Nanette Allender said...

Coll-Thanks, sweetie!
Rosa-CONGRATULATIONS! Yes, I'm aiming for NEXT Thanksgiving for the Half-Marathon.Team-in-Training is a great group; I'm doing my exercises to reduce the vertigo, and as soon as I am able, I'll be walking/running again!