After work today-Ted, Gracie and I will make the 4 hour drive back to Michigan to spend the Thanksgiving weekend at home. Luckily, I have plans almost every day to keep myself busy. My goal this Thanksgiving is to spend it with as many family and friends as possible. I know it will be hard and sad without my Mom and Dad, so keeping myself busy and surrounded by good people are what I plan to do.
Tomorrow we have a fun dinner night out planned with a group of 11 of us. Our friends from New Jersey-Mel and Nick, my Sister and Matt, Ted's brother and Wife and other friends too. What used to be the biggest "bar night" has turned into, for me at least, just a night to go to a fun dinner. With MI still allowing smoke in the bars, I really can't go out.
Thursday, I get to start my Thanksgiving at my Dad's most favorite niece in the world, okay his only niece, my cousin Jessica's house. My Grandpa Olszowy will be there along with Aunt and Uncle from Atlanta. I'm excited to switch things up a bit this year and make a few stops.
After a few hours there, we will head back to the Close's for dinner to spend the remainder of the evening with Ted's family. After my Sister spends dinner with Matt's family, they will bring Aydan to the Close's. Christina is in charge of dessert from now on since she mastered my Mom's homemade cheesecake.
Friday, I put together a dinner with 8 of my girlfriends at a fun fondue restaurant, Melting Pot and we have plans to see the new Reese Witherspoon Holiday movie after that.
Although it will be so strange to not see or talk to them, I am hopeful they are looking down on us and continue to say "keep smiling" and "you can do this". It's hard though....I just want things to be normal again.
I got the sweetest card and email from two of my girlfriends this week. The card was about peace and recognizing the fact the Holidays won't be easy for me and the email was about how my parents won't be there physically but she was positive they would be in spirit and they will be looking down smiling. I sure hope that is true as all I can picture is my Mom looking down with tears and saying, "I want to be there too". But if heaven is everything everyone says and believes it is, then there is no sadness...only tears of happiness and I cannot wait for the day that I can trust that and have 100% faith that I will see them again.
You will be severely missed on Thanksgiving by all of your family and friends Mommy and Dad. Please say an extra prayer for Justin during this difficult time. I can't imagine he can find really anything to be thankful for right now.....and although I am so angry, it also makes me really, really sad for him.
Love always,
Melissa
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