Best Thanksgiving Ever...(so far)

Why?

1. I came, I trotted, I conquered.

So, I felt the need to express the fact that it is only 12:00 noon-ish and I am already having the MOST fabulous Thanksgiving Day. Why, you might ask? A little thing we here in Buffalo like to call the Turkey Trot. It's an 8K road race (4.96 miles for all you metric-phobes) and I actually finished it, in 1 hour and 4 minutes. Now, to the unaware passerby, this might not seem so sensational. However, those of you who really know me, know what a freakin' awesome feat this was for me. Correction: it would have been an unattainable feat, a few months back. But not today. Sweatin' it on the good 'ol treadmill paid off. I triumphed, with the help of my dear friend SJ and her mother and brother. I guess there was a reason I am friends with so many runners...I couldn't have done it without their advice and encouragement. I'd also like to thank the Academy. I feel like a million bucks.

2. Life can be so much sweeter than Art.

I would just like to give "Thanks" for being privy to one of the most beautiful moments I've ever witnessed. (I mean, my sister's weddings were good, but that was a long time ago=old news).What happened is that me, SJ, her mom and brother get back to her house after trottin' it. We start to say out goodbyes (and we're already super happy because we did the race, and I am especially ecstatic because it was my first one...I mean, I was high as a kite) and then SJ's sister sticks her head out the door. She says hello to everyone and then says "Monica, come inside for a minute" and I'm like, "Why?!" because I have no idea why she would want me to come inside. I mean, we're friendly but we don't braid each-other's hair or anything. Maybe she wanted to show me a picture or someti- and then it hit me. My ESP totally kicked in and I knew. But you don't, so I'll tell you.

We get inside, and SJ's mom SCREAMS because her eldest son, who is in the Army, surprised them all and flew home for Thanksgiving. I mean, you can watch a million "soldier homecomings" on Good Morning America or whatever, and they totally make you tear up. But this, this was like witnessing a brilliant composition or classic painting being created by a master, before your eyes. Seriously, maybe my endorphins were just on over-load, but it was like a work of art. Her mother's tears were the brush strokes and I won't forget it for the rest of my life. To see such pure joy emanating from a person, without agenda or because someone bought them something, was just thrilling. And after the initial shock and hugs we chatted a bit, I said a few things that didn't make sense and I bid my adieu. However, I am thankful that I got to witness such a display of love and that SJ and her family are truly having a happy Thanksgiving.

3. PIE, without guilt.

Yes, I run/walked 5 miles today. That means I get to eat lots of pie. The anticipation in palatable. ;)

Now, I have to dry my hair and such because we're leaving for my sister's house at 2. I hope everyone has a dynamite Thanksgiving!