Speaking of Thanksgiving ......

[Scarsdale]

31. Happy Thanksgiving.

Life really is what we make it, in relationship to what we can. I was new to this country, with 3 small kids. My husband was overseas in the US Air Force. I had recently received my driver's license. It was Christmas. We were invited to my sister-in-law's house. It was snowing and I was scared of the drive. Got out to the farm. The whole family was there, kids excited to open gifts. We sat at the table, my niece looks around at all the familiar faces (except us, of course) and said "It is amazing how many people show up for a FREE MEAL" I was crushed, wanted to leave but couldn't since the kids were eager to open their gifts. Finally the torture was over. I never went back there, hardly had any dealings with the family at all. We were strangers, and they made us feel like that. Knowing how my family had treated my husband in the UK when he was stationed there, it really was upsetting. He was made to feel like family. I never got over that hurt. Sort of a rejection for me and my kids. So that was when I realized we had no family here, they were all back home in the UK. Years later, we divorced and I met a REAL man. We had great family gatherings. The kids loved him, and even said they wished he had been their REAL dad. We finally were a real family. He is gone now, and greatly missed. Wonderful guy, who loved to cook.