Thanksgiving

In the first couple of years Adam was transported to school. An orange bus came to the driveway to pick him up and drop him off. Then it was Keenan, the next sibling's turn to start school. He would be walking. A difference would be created between them.

Heather and Andy searched for a house backing on to the park where the school was situated. They found one and Adam walked to school like everyone else. He went through the gate in the backyard and crossed the park independently four times every day.

Mum and Dad were active in parent school affairs. Heather volunteered in various classes. They organized dances and auctions and raised money for various projects like computers and trips. Adam thrived as did his brothers and sister.

The backyard changed over the years. In succession there was a tree fort, an ice rink and a basketball net. This year an attractive privacy fence was erected at the end of the driveway and a cedar hedge planted. There's a patio and pergola, a shed with lace curtains in the windows and a place for a cosy fire in the centre of things.

Last Sunday, the temperature was 24 degrees. The Buck Family gathered at Heather and Andy's for Thanksgiving. Some members were missing and missed but the gathering was substantial. Thirty-two in all.

Jeff Nash and his wife were there from Kelowna B.C. Jeff spent a lot of his childhood in my basement. He and my son Andrew were best friends. Jeff's sisters, Kelly and Cindy were Heather's friends. They lost both parents recently. There were many memories to share.

There was a fire burning. Tables and chairs borrowed from neighbours created a long harvest table draped with fall colours. Heather once again worked in the federal election. On Saturday, Robyn was busy in the kitchen helping with the cooking and baking. I helped.

Vanessa, was there on Sunday. Hers was the summer wedding on the shores of Georgian Bay that I missed. The couple left soon after to work in Korea to earn enough money to pay off student debt. Korea is far and they were going to be away a long time. But the plan went awry.

Vanessa is with child or to be precise .... children. Twins are expected. Stephen and Mary will be grandparents.

How's that for a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving Event.