11.27.2012

When Fairy Tales and History are the Same Thing


It was the day before Thanksgiving, and Mikaela and I were braving the freeway madness to pick up two very special people from the airport.  We were sweating over the traffic and trying not to get lost when Mikaela exclaimed and pointed to a sight neither of us shall soon forget.  It was a ginger-haired young man, standing beside the side of the freeway, cars careening by him, with a bouquet of flowers and a sign that simply read, "Home."

I cried. 

Two weeks earlier...

The sun was still asleep when Mikaela left Mama and Papa at the airport for their flight to Atlanta, Georgia to see a specialist for Mama.  She was scheduled for surgery the week before Thanksgiving, and we were steeling ourselves for the worst-case outcome.  We could not have fathomed the miracles that God would work through her surgery.  But in the meantime, when the van returned home without two of its passengers, we were just six kids on our own, canning quarts of applesauce and pints of tuna and feeling loved by our church family and missing our parents dreadfully. 

That first week passed quickly, and Monday brought "The List" of Thanksgiving ingredients, as well as the mammoth shopping trip.  Tuesday was a full day of teaching for Mikaela and I in which Melanie and Susanna managed to cook up a storm of Thanksgiving food, and Wednesday brought dessert preparation and that day we had been awaiting for two weeks: the day of Mama and Papa's arrival home!  Mama's surgery had gone so much better than expected, the doctor in Atlanta was a Christian and the perfect surgeon for her, and God truly healed her body in miraculous ways.  We were overwhelmed by all the answers to prayer.  Still, she was in a lot of pain, and this we knew as we inched along the freeway, the exit to the airport completely at a standstill.  Yet we still couldn't wait to envelop her and Papa in huge hugs of welcome. 

"But isn't it wonderful," Mikaela commented exuberantly, "to think that in every one of these cars are people who are going to be reunited with someone they love tonight?"  It indeed was a sweet thought, and that explains my tears for the hitch hiker. 

At last, after an eternity of stopping and going, we caught sight of our parents.  That vision of Mama on the sidewalk rushed a wave of homesickness over me, even though I had been at home these last two weeks.  And though for us our Thanksgiving really began at that moment, the next day was precious beyond belief!


Papa gave a turkey-carving lesson, with Mikaela perfecting the gravy in the background.

Roasted brussel sprouts are a favorite Thanksgiving food!

Tasty dishes, with the requisite sweet potatoes on bottom that only two in our family even bothered with.
 
 Garlic rosemary mashed potatoes!  Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without the aroma of roasted garlic permeating the house!

Sparkling cider and a sparkling centerpiece created by Susanna!

The food was but the accompaniment to the star attraction of being together.

Gluten-free apple pie and Pioneer Woman's Pumpkin Gingersnap Caramel Pecan cheesecake.  In a word: delish!

After stuffing ourselves with food, we went around the table and shared from our hearts about the abundance of things for which we were thankful.  Then we cozied up to a fire and a wonderful story about Squanto by Eric Metaxas that Mikaela recently found.  It begins, "Every once in a great while, the hand of God is easy to see, and for a brief moment, fairy tales and history are the same thing.  This story is about one of those times."  So, might I add, is this blog post.
 

 
 
The day would not be complete without a game, and the American version of Settlers of Catan fit the bill! 

And there I'll leave this sweet story, with the fire still crackling, laughter still erupting over a game, and the warm aromas of turkey and garlic mingling in the air.  Together at last, we were home. 

5 comments:

  1. This is so sweet, Lauren. Looks like your family's hard work got paid off for the meal! Everything looks (and sounds!) delicious, (especially the gingersnap cheesecake). ;)

    I love the way you said, "...That vision of Mama on the sidewalk rushed a wave of homesickness over me, even though I had been at home these last two weeks..."

    It's not WHERE you're at that matters, but WHO you're with that really makes the difference. At least, that's I what I think. :) It's a beautiful reminder though!

    Looks like you all had a nice Thanksgiving this year, and so glad to hear that your mom's surgery went very well.

    Take care!

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  2. Lauren,

    Looks like you had a wonderful, sweet Thanksgiving. I am so thankful that your mother is doing well. I will pray for a quick, full recovery for her.

    Blessings!
    ~Emily

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  3. Nela--You must try the cheesecake--it was yummy! We didn't do the caramel on the bottom for fear it would be too sweet, and if you leave that out, I would recommend leaving out the pecans on the bottom crust as well. You completely understand what I meant--that it's who you're with that matters! I hope your Thanksgiving went just as well!
    Emily--Thanks so much for praying for Mama--we all appreciate it!

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  4. Aw, Lauren, it is so true - special days, especially holidays, are "made" by who you are with. I feel very blessed to be able to spend the holidays with my family again - no one can replace them! I am glad you were able to be reunited for Thanksgiving! I have been and will continue to pray for your Mama and her recovery.

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  5. Aww your thanksgiving sounds fun! I am prayig for your mom! :)

    Em

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