The plan was for the five of us to spend the Thanksgiving break in San Francisco. My husband was already there, the girls and I were going to fly from DC and our oldest boy was flying in from Florida. We had our plane tickets; we had a dog-sitter (my saint of a mother volunteered to live here with my beasts for the extended weekend); we had all intentions of hunkering down and spending serious, quality, nitty-gritty time with one another until somebody puked. But then Lillian got sick.
It seems a bit extreme, even to me Ms. Extreme Pet Owner, to cancel one’s vacation because a pet is ill. I couldn’t help but feel a little dramatic when I called the vet and explained our situation. Should I cancel the trip? Can she miss a week of chemo? What do people do when they need to be out of town during treatment? The answer was simple. She had to be there.
Sure, I could have asked my already sainted mother to spend hours on Black Friday hanging about in Fairfax while she waited for the dog to be treated. And then there may be side effects for my already sainted other to deal with… Nah. I just couldn’t put that on her. Besides, and to be perfectly and secretly honest with you, I’d rather stay put.
To me, Thanksgiving is about your whole family. About trying to squeeze as many as you can of them inside of your house, feeding them and hoping not to smack, insult or maim more than one. It’s about holding hands, and bowing heads with generations present. That’s how I dig Thanksgiving.
I don’t (ever, ever, ever again) want both Thanksgiving and Christmas to be at my house in the same calendar year but yet being away just feels wrong. Nana, at 90, may not see another Thanksgiving. Lillian may only have this one left as well. My cousin Meredith and her family are finally living close to us (and they were so easily tricked into hosting). My sister and her new husband will be celebrating their first married Thanksgiving. As it turns out, no one wants to miss this one. With the guest list nearing 25, it is going to be the largest gathering at Thanksgiving that I can remember. (Again, extremely thankful we’re not having it at my house.)
So, my husband is flying in from San Francisco tonight. The boy comes on Wednesday. Thursday we’ll all smoosh into my cousin’s home, eat too much, possibly drink too much, probably annoy each other a bit and be grateful for every iota. And you can bet the good side of the wishbone that I’ll come home bringing Lillian a big, fat doggie bag that night.
Cheers to being here for a Happy Thanksgiving – and fill ‘er up. We’re going to need it because as much as I love my family, they do tend to drive me batshit.
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Good call. Things work out for a reason. I hope the pup feels better soon!
Not extreme at all. The only sensible choice.
How is she tolerating the chemo? Does she feel/act normal in between treatments?
Happy THANKSgiving!!!
Yes, how is Lillian tolerating the Chemo, good question.
We’re dealing with this right now–the holiday planning.
We’re out of town a few days a week for work, and just want to be home; not on someone’s couch, not in a hotel, but home on the holiday mornings.
It’s just that it will mean breaking with tradition and starting our own…and that is very, very hard to do, but I don’t want the queen’s memories of holidays to be racing around in the mornings, driving seven hours a day, etc.
Damn.
Tough stuff.
Mary & Sherry,
Lillian is tolerating the chemo quite well. She has lost a little hair and frequently needs middle of the night bathroom breaks – but otherwise is normal & thriving. Her lumps have gone down and her puppy self has returned. If you didn’t know her diagnosis, you’d never guess s that she was a dog with terminal cancer.
Thanks for asking xo
I would not have left my pup either. I would have done exactly the same thing.
I don’t want this to sound insensitive but does the chemo have a chance of curing her? I am affraid I don’t understand the procedure or the current prognosis.
That sounds like it worked out perfectly for everyone!
We’re having Thanksgiving at my mom/grandma’s house (they live together). I am looking forward to the food, but not the having to get up and go to work on Friday. BOO!
I am surprised you even considered going to San Fran. Sounds like you would be missing too much here at home. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Here’s to a Hasppy Thanksgiving!
right as I was saying the exact words in my head- a read yours- ” I’d rather stay put”. I don’t blame you a bit- besides, it can be so hectic to travel-Kim, I love your your take on all the holidays- you put in words what I feel but i’m not so good at expressing! I’m glad Miss Lillian is doing better and she’s a” lucky dog”
I for when will raise a big glass of Cab and say a big hearty cheers to you and yours this holiday!
Found yu through Backpacking Dad…and I am glad I did. I love your blog. Have a great Turkey Day
Holy crap, I can’t wait for us all to get together on Thursday. We do have so much to be thankful for and I am glad we can all be home together (minus our youngest sister who I know wishes she could be home as well).
I have no idea how we’re going to pull this off. Egads.
Happy Thanksgiving!