Had our first Thanksgiving at home in several years. We had been in the habit of going to Branson every year with family and seeing all the Christmas Shows we could fit in. It was fun but I did notice one trend that got a little tiresome. The “Christmas Story” out at the big theater in Silver Dollar City was the same each year. Well except when Tiny Tim grew so large they had to find another one--which they did. Also, as the years passed I noticed that they were making the hills there in Branson a little more steep, and taller. We had a big crowd up at Branson and then there was the traditional Thanksgiving dinner that had to be attended to.

You just can’t cook a giant turkey over a hotel hotplate and it’s hard to seat over 30 people at your motel’s dinette. So we would go out and eat every Thanksgiving Day. That was OK but since we are somewhat overstocked with “OCB” (Obsessive Compulsive Behavior) family members we had to eat at the same place every year. Well, that got tiring too and the upshot of all this was I decided to be a stay at home celebrant this year. You know, stay at home and enjoy your family and watch football games and maybe play with a grandchild or two and basically just lay around and rest.

And so, how did it go? I must admit I got a little uneasy a few weeks ago when I began reviewing in my mind of who all would be here. As the numbers rolled in and I contemplated the coming melee I had brief and longing thoughts of Branson. “We’re gonna miss those big Christmas Shows” and those hills didn’t seem so steep now. Alas, my arms started hurting and bad pains in my chest made me review my present relationship with God. Later as I lay gasping in the hospital with Myocardial Infarction my wife assured me that the holiday was still on. Thank goodness, I gasped.

Believe it or not I survived this little Nitroglycerin infested time and we did all got together. Tim and Lesli both took in a lot of our returning family and I made a note of who all came. Son Dr. Ron Bullard, Braden and Lindsey were there as was Dr. Renetta Reeves. Dr. Alan Runge along with Traci were present and Alec Runge made the trip. Julia (Runge) Bouchard and husband Avery were here. Dr. Tim Costner and wife Lesli drove in from Hughes County. Their daughters Emilee and Meegan were present as was our son Steven and Courtney who, of course, had Francesca and Charlotte. Their dog Garvey made himself known and provided security throughout the big event. Fred Ellis and Theda drove down and Wanda Waddle came. Carol Cook showed up and had two of her grandkids with her, Jayden and Emory Gray. And rounding out the list were Freda Harry and Kathryn Costner.

Special thanks to Lesli who had April Whitehead fix us the best tasting turkey I ever ate. I forget where that ham came from but it too was very outstanding and delicious. Julia who now lives in Austin, Texas provided more entertainment than the football games did. She led a group of volunteers in the living room in a Christmas Song sing along. Everyone had a good time singing and listening. Thanks Julia. It was a little crowded and even noisy at the big table but things quieted down dramatically when the eating started.

Everyone’s gone now. Just Pat and me. The house is pretty quiet and peaceful. Meegan has been over and put in several hours of hard work cleaning the place up. If Thanksgiving was this good a deal, I wonder about Christmas. I think Pat is out in the garage now looking for our tree even as I type. Hope your holiday was as good as mine. And be sure and go to church Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

waynebullard@sbcglobal.net