Well Thanksgiving 2011 is now history and ours included an ensemble of diversity from our new future daughter-in-law’s parents to guests from Isaiah House. We try to do this every year because we are always so enriched by those we invite.

And Marti, being the event coordinator that she is, had menus printed up and a game planned to get everyone involved, which consisted of a picture of a well-known movie under every plate. The game called on each person to recall a line from the movie that would help the rest of us guess it. Like: “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die,” from Princess Bride.

And then there was the poetry from an Isaiah House guest that had us all totally enthralled. One particular poem about a Great Aunt that inspired her in her childhood touched us so deeply we made her read it three more times through the course of the evening – everyone, I’m sure having someone they know in mind who had a similar influence on them.

Such is the value of gathering together and giving thanks. If you can give thinks for it, even the worst thing can be redeemed.