Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas-giving, a new holiday tradition...

Thanksgiving this year brought many changes and stories of remembrance and celebration of my brother's life.  We had a wonderful celebration of Joel's life which was an amazing testament to all those Joel has touched and directly impacted throughout his journey on earth.

We bypassed Thanksgiving and focused on the more important treasure of family.  I was able to spend quality time with my parents and focus on the true meaning of the holidays.  This meant that the massive turkey I had sitting in my freezer in Pittsburgh was taking up precious room that Paul would prefer to replace with microwave dinners.  So, I used one weekend when I got back and dedicated it to cooking therapy.

We called this main event: Christmas-giving

The menu was quite amazing and the evening was complete with a Packer win and a log in the fireplace which topped off the already impressive atmosphere that Josiah and Anna created at their house.  I am so happy they allowed us to invade!

Paul coming in to supervise my temperature checking technique!

We had to cook the turkey at their place, my first turkey!!  It seemed to turn out alright, how would I know any different I guess?  I stuffed it and everything!  We also had wild rice stuffing, sweet potatoes, crescent rolls, macaroni with garlic bread crumbs, and mini pumpkin cheesecakes for dessert.  Don't forget the mulled wine!

Ladies in the kitchen, with the resting turkey!

I'd say pretty good for my first turkey!  Thanks for all the tips mother!

We ate and drank until we couldn't move, it was awesome.  The Packers played an excellent game as usual for this season.  Paul was studying on the couch and it was one of Joanna's last nights in Pittsburgh, because she is moving on to bigger animal taming in Texas!

Men doing the carving, Paul might get his finger carved off!

Wishbone... and, I win! This year...


11-22-11

Since my last post, there have been major events and changes in my life that I didn't have the courage to write about until now.  Even now, I am not sure a blog post cannot serve to explain these major life events, but I trust that it will at least be of some clarity...

I was called on Sunday, November 20th 2011 by my father who urged me to fly home as I learned that my brother was admitted to the ICU in a Green Bay hospital.  It felt like a long flight, but I was home in just a few short hours and with my parents by Joel's side.  I spent two amazing and inspiring days with Joel before he passed away gracefully and generously.  Joel taught me many lessons in those two days we spent together that I will remember and cherish forever.

As I have said to those who ask, Joel has brought me this far in life through his guidance, smile and inspiring example, and it is up to me to bring him through the rest of our journey together. 


To learn more about Joel, and how my family and I are keeping his passions and spirit alive, please follow my brother's blog:


My brother, my angel.

Love,
Alyce

Joel R. Marsh