Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

11/26/09 - Thanksgiving 2009 - Sunbeam RV Park
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Last year we enjoyed one of the happiest Thanksgiving celebrations we have ever had. All the family gathered at Christina's and what a love-filled, peaceful, joyous and happy time it was! It gave us much to ponder on how lucky we are and how grateful we are for our family.

This year we determined to spend the holiday with very dear and close friends from our San Felipe days. Jess and Ginger still spend their winters close to San Felipe, and we were all ready to depart for those southern climes when we found out that another dear friend - here at Sunbeam - Ginny Whitney, was in the hospital. We know that Ginny has been diagnosed with Lou Gerhig's disease, and have sadly watched her health deteriorate over the last year. The week before the holiday we celebrated a moving memorial to our dear friend John Burns (we had no preparation for John's departure from this world) and when Kathleen informed Paul that Ginny was in the hospital he said, "We're not leaving." So we stayed.

With all the preparations for the Thanksgiving dinner, Ginny was on our minds. Judy, Ginny and Kathleen professed to be "sisters" and residents never knew for sure if we were telling the truth or not. So proceeding with the tasks that usually included Ginny was difficult, to say the least. Thankfully, residents came into the hall and decorated their tables and the place was a happy and beautiful sight.

The owner of the park (Mr. Darby) provided the turkeys, potatoes, dressing, green beans, gravy and rolls and butter. Each table was responsible for bringing the extras (sweet potatoes, salads, sauces, desserts, drinks, etc.) What a lovely group we had and what fun to "work" with so many volunteers again.

Paul was "under the weather" with the flu or bad cold, so once everyone was fed, Kathleen fixed two plates and returned to the park model to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with her best friend.

In the meantime, Judy (leader of the pack and Bernie "Turkey roaster checker extraordinaire" stayed behind, resting their weary bones and making sure all was ready for the feast.

After filling ourselves with delectable foods, Kathleen returned to the hall to help in the clean up. Again, what a pleasure it was to be part of this family of friends!

It really was a happy day and our hearts are full of thanks for family and friends. We were pleased to hear from some of our children, who enjoyed their holiday in cooler climes, while we were happy to enjoy the warmth of the Imperial Valley!

With each passing year we realize ever more the blessings we have - deserved or not - and are grateful for one another, for our children and their delightful families, for our friends and family-like relations in San Felipe and in Sunbeam.

Kathleen used to say that she was surely going to hell, because so much of her heaven was already enjoyed. Neither of us feels that way any more, and are simply happy to accept all the wonderful gifts with which we have been blessed - wishing for everyone a heartfelt Thanksgiving Day.

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"NO DEAL BASICALLY means that if we can't find a solution that wold benefit us both, we agree to disagree agreeably--No Deal. No expectations have been created, no performance contracts established. I don't hire you or we don't take on a particular assignment together because it's obvious that our values or our goals are going in opposite directions. It is so much better to realize this up front instead of downstream when expectations have been created and both parties have been disillusioned.
When you have No Deal as an option in your mind, you feel liberated because you have no need to manipulate people, to push your own agenda, to drive for what you want. You can be open. You can really try to understand the deeper issues underlying the positions." (9/9)

Paul & Kathleen Smith | 173 Rainbow Dr #7329 | Livingston, TX 77399-1073 | (510) 386-8973

Life on the Road with Paul & Kathleen: "Not bad for two dumb kids from Ohio" - Proving once again that it's never too late to have a happy childhood

Our Lazy Daze at Kirk Creek Camp on CA Hwy 1 40 mi N of Hearst's Castle 11/24/03: Shortly after full-timing began.	Turkey Buzzard at our campsite in Big Bend NP 5/24/06