Texas Type
That quote could apply to my Thanksgiving when we had a houseful of family and friends, and we gathered until our bellies hurt from both the feasting and the laughter.
I had gone to my hometown to visit my parents the week before knowing we’d be out here. That is always a relaxing time, and I am blessed both my parents are still in good health as dad nears his 90th circle around the sun and mom still spry, sharp and an expert cooker of stews and chilis.
But for Thanksgiving week, Christine’s mother, sister and one of her two brothers came to town to visit. (You might have seen them shopping on Main Street.)
Our two energetic sons made it to the finish line of the 5-mile Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot in Austin, then drove back to join us for the Thanksgiving afternoon feast. We also hosted some close friends, one of whom is single and the others whose child was unable to return from college studies for Turkey Day.
We shared stories, laughs and enough food and beverages to qualify for the Glutton Games. But hey, that’s what it’s all about, right?
And can we get an amen for all the incredible football that occurred over the weekend? My El Paso brother-in-law, Abel, has lived in the California Bay Area since his days in the Navy, yet he remains a steadfast Dallas Cowboys fan like me. We watched them destroy Kansas City and hoped it marked a turnaround for this season.
The next day was spent at the AT&T store upgrading a phone for “Nana,” as Christine’s mother Corina is known. We all met at Fredericksburg Brewing Company for the Longhorns and Aggies rivalry game. I’ll just say I was pleased with the outcome as I have one son about to graduate from the 40 acres.
My go-go-go brother-inlaw decided Saturday we needed more football, so we menfolk jetted down to the Alamodome to catch the UTSA-Army game, which turned out to be a competitive brawl. Army just outpaced the Roadrunners. It’s impressive how UTSA has grown its program under Coach Traylor in such a short amount of time.
We followed that by meandering over the River Walk and enjoying San Antonio’s signature attraction and several plates of sizzling fajitas.
Sunday was a “day of rest” with more visiting with family and enjoying some beverages (and more football) out at the new Witcher Brewing Co. They’ve got a good thing going out there, so we encourage you to support this “off Main” small business.
The women in our family contributed to the sales tax coffers as they went up and down Main Street.
Perhaps the best thing was I didn’t have to think about work a lot this weekend. I had an actual holiday.
As we age, we get more perspective on time and how the small things in life really are the big things — time with your parents, relatives, friends and children chief among them. There is no gift that might show up under the Christmas tree in a month that even mildly compares.
As the name of the holiday implies, it’s something for which to be thankful.
And this follow up week, to Thanksgiving — let’s call it The Aftermath — it might be time to focus not on feasting or football, but on fasting.
ken@fredericksburgstandard.com
“Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness.” — John C. Maxwell
