Thanksgiving - 2008

There was much to give thanks for this Thanksgiving. In addition to the stability of my condition, we were cheered by the visit of my sister, Eleanor Redway, from Los Angeles. Because we live on opposite coasts, this was our first Thanksgiving together in over 40 years! It was our "treat" for her her 80th birthday and Eleanor proudly told almost everyone she met that she was from Los Angeles and was here in Savannah, thanks to her "little" brother.

In addition to family time - Alison and her family joined us - Eleanor and I found some precious private time to share personal concerns and stories of years past - especially our childhood years in Roxbury, MA and our deceased parents and brother, Calvin. This was Eleanor's first visit to the South and she genuinely enjoyed Connie's legendary culinary skills, our tours of Historic Savannah, its ambiance, a hydro massage, and the warmth exuded by many persons, some complete strangers, that she met.

As Eleanor left for home with effusive thanks for her "birthday present", we were reminded how the joy of receiving can easily be matched by the joy of giving.