Thanksgiving Day was big for me this year. It’s always special but this year meant so much more. Not only do I have a lot for which to be thankful, but November 27th was my Day 100 post transplant. It’s supposed to be a big milestone in recovery. I don’t know that it was for me, in that I have been doing so well all along, but I love round numbers and if someone tells me this is special, then I am happy to feel it is!

I’m pictured below with Pete, Karen, Andy, Erin, Bill, Christy and Pauline.

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Since it was a holiday, it wasn’t hard to find a race to celebrate the day.  I wasn’t quite ready to run 6 miles hard, but I thought I could hang on for 3. While most of my buddies ran the 10k, I chose the 5. Hoping to break 27, I had a satisfying 26:27. I still have a way to go, but I’m getting there. The best part, was just being there with my group. Running, watching my friends come in, having coffee after.  Those are the best days for me. I loved every minute of it.

And the day was just beginning there. We still had the celebration at Joanne and Randy’s house to look forward to. But not before some serious chicken holding took place. Randy’s sister Nan, and his mom, Ferne, came over to experience some close encounters of the clucking kind. I’m only too happy to facilitate that.

Below is Nan, whom I affectionately refer to as my sister-in-law-in-law, holding Lucy.

And her mom, Ferne, holding my new girl, Fern! ( Just a co-inky-dink on the naming thing!)

It was a fun day all around. I have a family and extended family that I really do love to spend time with. We even captured a pic of all six of us Tanks together at the same time.

Later that day we received word that a new little addition to our family would be ready to come home over the weekend. We had made arrangements to adopt an Australian Shepherd from the SPCA for Monterey County the week before. However, she had had complications from her spay surgery so her future was unclear. Our very thankful day was complete when we learned “Stacy” would finally be joining our family.

So much to be happy about! May all your days be thankful!