A different Thanksgiving

 

This was the first Thanksgiving we didn't have any of the kids or grandkids with us. Since we were going to be alone, we planned on having a quiet day here but just as were about to finalize those plans, we got an unexpected invitation from my husband's cousin. After mulling it over for a few minutes, we decided to accept. Why spend time alone when we could be with others? 

We drove out the country and as we pulled down the long gravel driveway, were instantly met by 4 large, black Pit Bulls. They ran in front of our car and were trying to bite the tires. As we tried to inch forward, they'd run and dart in front of us. We were afraid we'd hit one so we began honking the car horn, hoping the owners would come out and call them off, but they never did, so we proceeded praying we wouldn't kill one of the beasts. 

We kept driving down the long road and finally reached his cousin's house. When we pulled into their garage, one of her sons came out to greet us. He asked if the neighbor's dogs had bothered us and before we could answer, the hounds of hell were right there beside us! We're both petrified of Pit Bulls, so we quickly closed the car door. Our cousin's son told us the dogs were harmless and we could get out. Trusting him, we opened the door slowly and climbed out with our prepared additions to the Thanksgiving meal. 

Inside was a group of about a dozen people, more than we expected. We met everyone and sat down at a long buffet table to pray and eat. It was a little overwhelming to be among strangers. I'd only met Connie (Phil's cousin) once or twice before at some of his relatives funerals. 

When we'd finished eating, Gene, Connie's husband asked if we'd like to go to his shop and see his antique car. We were excited to leave the commotion of the gathering and sneak off to a quieter place. 

Gene took me in his golf cart up to the shop. (He has a prosthetic leg and walking on uneven terrain is difficult for him. It's difficult for me, too! I'm supposed to have a total knee replacement so I've been wearing a brace for the past year and a half.) 

When we got to the shop, we were amazed! The shop was huge and had 3 bays. Gene has been working on cars since he was 13 and has restored many older vehicles. Sitting in the first bay was his pride and joy, a 1965 Mustang Fastback. It was in pristine condition and fire engine red. I wanted to drool when I saw it! When I was in highschool, I'd always wanted a 1965 Mustang. Several of my friends' parents had bought them cars and many of them were Mustangs. I knew I'd never be able to get one. My parent's couldn't afford such a luxury and I'd just started working. I didn't have enough money to buy one on my own so I tucked that dream deep in my heart hoping one day I'd get one. 

Gene told us all about the car and told us about the many trophies he'd one for car shows he participated in. All over the shop walls were various automobile tags from the 1930's on up and from all over the world. Gene said he collected them and his wife would often find them on Ebay for him. They were very interesting. 

After visiting a little longer, we left to get home before dark. We were thankful they'd included us in their holiday although we really missed our own family.