Thanksgiving Day

#ThrowbackStory

I remember like it was only yesterday. I’ve told this story several times because of its significance on my life. It was Thanksgiving Day, 1996. We had to pack and load everything on the U-Haul truck, we were going to get on that bus to finally move to Texas that same evening, and say goodbye to California for good. It was one of those nights I will never forget. My two brothers, my mother, and I didn’t know what to expect. As a matter of fact we didn’t know how we were going to load up all of our furniture and appliances into the big truck. I was 13 years old, my twin was also 13, my older brother was 16, and we were still kids. Also, my mother who was a disabled cancer patient wasn’t able to do much work herself. We needed a miracle, the day was winding down, and we didn’t realize how much work and how hectic it was going to be. I remember my mother was frustrated, had a hopeless look in her face, and she sat there at the foot of the stairs and cried during one of our breaks. Suddenly, an idea crossed her mind. One of her friends who lived closed by had 2 older adult sons who were in town. My mother never liked to ask for help, but she trusted and counted on this friend. She apologized for interrupting their thanksgiving dinner and asked for their assistance as a huge favor. We were all relieved afterwards that they were so willing to help a family in need. Wow, once again I was reminded that miracles happen everyday. I never saw these people ever again, but may God bless them forever. The night ended, with more man power, our job was done, but another obstacle arrived. My older brother’s vehicle died. We couldn’t get transportation to the bus station. A neighbor came out to help by brother start his car, but it needed more than just a jump. I honestly don’t remember how we got to the bus station, but we were all there before the departure time. My father even showed up to say goodbye. I remember seeing a tear coming down from his eyes. I’ve never seen that man cry before, but we all hugged said farewell. Our new life was about to begin in West Texas. It was a long trip in that bus, and since it was night, it was quiet because many people were sleeping. We were shocked, surprised, honestly I’m not sure what we were feeling since we’ve never been through a big change like that. Deep down were at ease because we knew that it was for the better, and finally after an exhausting day we were headed to our new home/life. We stopped at a McDonald’s restaurant late that evening. My 2 brothers, my mother, and I all laughed and joked that we were eating our thanksgiving dinner. Really? A “Big Mac”? Fast forward to 16 years later…In a small town of Midland, TX lies a family with hope…Living a dream…The saga continues!

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!!!!! Thank you for taking the time to read. God bless you always and forever.

Life is beautiful: So what would you do if you wait tomorrow, there’s no more sorrow and dreams came true, so knock on wood, and cross you fingers, now count your blessings if I were you. So what would you do if you wait tomorrow, when all your great skies have now turned blue, how many days do you think you’re giving, so get on living is up to you.