November 27 – “Guest appearances and family secrets”

Turkey Bowl 2016.  By some accounts the 53^rd rendition of the Galveston event set for the Saturday after Thanksgiving at high noon.  This year we didn’t get started until closer to one, though.  A few of the principal players were late arriving and had to get a quick turkey fix (Cory and Sarah).  We did have some celebrities, though.  Christina’s brother from Houston and sister from California were both on hand this year.  Amanda (that would be the sister) is a cross-fit for kids instructor, and has taken part in several cross-fit competitions.  She was also a guest on the Biggest Loser TV show a season or two ago.  Not as a contestant, though.  Seems she works out with the show’s trainer, Bob.  He asked her to come on the show to show off her techniques of working out and to show that even really pretty girls can still work out and be in outrageously good shape.  She even wore her signature tutu on the show.  Sadly, we weren’t graced with a tutu appearance, but she did lift Micah over her head and do some squats with him up there.  She wanted to do the same with Jachin, but he just couldn’t bring himself to stay stiff.  Our neighbor across the street walked outside while she was lifting Micah and stopped in her tracks with her jaw to the ground.  I guess that’s not the most common thing one would expect to see at a family pickup football game.  Oh, and speaking of that particular neighbor, we had to declare a time out at one point in the game.  They needed help unloading a freezer they had just purchased at a garage sale.  Didn’t take long to get that whipped out.  It was a junior size variety.  Kel asked if they wanted it “where the other one used to be.”  I don’t think they understood what he meant.  See, Mom and Dad used to have a big freezer on the same back porch.  Kel was just headed to the “proper” freezer location.  That’s not where they wanted it, of course.  Sigh. 

We missed having Josh and his family with us.  No.  Still no appearance by AnnaGrace.  I did get one text early in the morning, though.  It was from Nathan.  He was on his way to WalMart and wanted to know if we needed anything for the turkey enchilada pie.  I replied with a query, “Wait.  What?  You mean we’re having that?  But Josh isn’t even here.”  To which he quickly answered, “That’s why we’re having it.”  Obviously there is a little more to that story.  It involves inter-sibling intrigue and charges of favoritism.  “Some” have said in the past that the only time we have that particular dish is when Josh comes to town.  “Others” have said having that particular dish for him is a way of acknowledging that the middle child of the family really does exist.  The rest of the year the turkey enchilada pie fades from everyone’s memory, just like …

Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Father, thank you for guest appearances and family secrets.  They make Thanksgiving fun.  Amen.