Reflections from a Smith Mountain Lake Porch. – part 5.
Disclaimer: I am not writing this on the porch. Although it is sunny and the wind has finally died down, it is 30 degrees out there. Brr.
The kids all headed out around 10:30 this morning, thirty minutes ago. Russell and I stood in the driveway, arms clasped around each other. For warmth. And to reconnect, just the two of us. It was that lovely mix of chaos/I had to send myself to 30-minute time-outs. You know what I am talking about. That, “I wouldn’t trade this for all the money in the world,” to daydreaming about the quiet after they have all gone home.
The house is quiet now. After a family-packed Holiday, I like to sit and relive the memories we have made and journal (usually the first opportunity I have had to do so in days). I spent a few minutes loading the dishwasher (load number 3,422) and threw the first round of sheets into the washer. Christmas music is playing, and orange slices are drying in the oven. I am sipping Christmas Blend in my Eucharisteo mug; my planner is out, and I’m jotting down To Do’s. Russell has gone to dump the trash and grab a bag of dog food at Moneta Farm & Home. Sarah is sending me homes to look at on Zillow.
It was a wonderful Thanksgiving. Russell’s sister, her husband, and my dad were all here on Thursday. On Friday, we drove an hour to Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm to pick up Russell’s fresh tree for the porch, and we ate more food than anyone should ever eat. We took lots of pictures, laughed, teased, and joked for hours. It is precisely what I always dreamed our time together would be.
Hoping you all had a lovely Thanksgiving.
Susan Wheeler Smith 