Afterglow

Thanksgiving is over and I'm basking in the afterglow.  While I wasn't sure what I would do for a while, part of me wanting to just stay home and isolate myself from the holiday festivities, I finally decided to accept my sister's invitation to her house after some prodding from both her and a few friends.  The last thing I needed to do was to be alone and ruminate in my depression and anxiety.  So I bit the bullet and made firm plans.  Susan was nice enough to pick me up and bring me back home so she reassured me transportation wasn't an issue.  I feel like a burden not having my own car anymore but it's simply something I can't afford.  Even if I got some cheap bridge banger to get me from place to place I don't have the money for gas, insurance and God forbid if it needed some kind of repair.  So I'm getting used to relying on others when I need to get somewhere and I'm trying not to feel too badly about it.  When I first walked in the door I was immediately met by Finn, Sue and Vaughn's new puppy.  He's a pit bull but you'd never equate him to the incorrect stereotypes about the breed.  He is so loving and friendly, we became fast buddies and he immediately curled up on the couch with me to snuggle.  What a good boy he is!  The smells of turkey cooking in the roaster and pies fresh from the oven cooling on racks filled the air and it was a heavenly aroma.  

It wasn't long before the other guests arrived and it became quite a lively bunch.  I had met one of the guests before at other family gatherings but there were a couple people new to me as well.  Everyone was great and we soon sat down to begin the feast.  Several people have food sensitivities so there were gluten free options abounding, but I have to admit my favorite part of the meal was the stuffing my sister made just like mom used to.  It was so delicious and it allowed me to remember mom during the meal.  I guess that part made me a little sad too, but those feelings are natural I suppose, especially around the holidays for me.  Everything was so good and in such abundance that I stuffed myself to the brim.  I had to wait a considerable time before I could force down a couple slices of pie, apple and razzleberry.  There were other pies to choose from but those were the two I gravitated towards the most.  I was good and skipped having ice cream piled on top, but I'm sure my blood sugar took a hit nevertheless.  The two glasses of wine I had didn't help either I'm sure, but it was Thanksgiving after all!  After pie Sue recognized that I was reaching my limit of being out and about and so she brought me back home.  As terrific as everything was I declined a smattering of leftovers she offered.  I have every confidence they won't go to waste at her house.  As much as I enjoyed being included it was good to get back home.  I had to be up at 6:00 this morning for group and needed to unwind, take my meds and get some sleep.  I never know exactly when the courtesy van will pick me up so I just have to be ready and waiting normally by 7:00 or so even though group doesn't start until 9:00.  One of the girls today brought her homemade ginger snaps to group and they were scrumptious, so the holiday treats kept coming.  All in all it was a great Thanksgiving and I very much appreciate everyone who encouraged me to go to my sister's place.  It did me a world of good to get out and be a part of something yesterday.  I guess I'm making some progress and will try to continue the trend.  I hope everyone's turkey day was filled with love and joy like mine was.  Now we can begin the march towards Christmas!