Happy Thanksgiving via Ecuador...

Our forefathers would approve.

I'm just going to get this out of the way right off the top:  We spent Thanksgiving on the beach and did not eat turkey.  I don't feel so much guilt over the former, but the latter I do have a smidge of regret.  Turkey, of course, is tradition on Thanksgiving...as is green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry salad and family dysfunction.  It just all makes sense together, except for the cranberry salad...never cared much for that combination of ingredients.  I missed the turkey and the interaction with dear friends and family, but our sushi was pretty darn tasty.  I imagine that the Asian pilgrims may have enjoyed sushi and sake with the natives those many long years ago.  Probably not a California Roll, but definitely a nice Dynamite Roll or Pink Dragon, perhaps.

This Thanksgiving, more so than any in recent memory, I am very thankful for a new life and fresh start with Laura and Eli.  It has become more and more evident that this roll of the dice was a pretty good one.  We needed this.  When we left the States in October, our little family unit was teetering precariously on a thin strand of waxy dental floss strung very loosely over a deep gorge of stress, disappointment and regret.  It was dismal at best and mostly hopeless.  Stepping back a few thousand miles away from that disturbing Dali painting it is amazing that we could make anything positive happen in the emotional state we were in...I was certain that we were incapable of making a good decision or choosing a direction that wouldn't come back and bite us in the proverbial butts.  Granted, it's still early, but things are falling into place and we have learned to smile again.  We are "The Little Family That Could" and we are almost to the top of that mountain.  I am thankful for the constant, steadfast, selfless and gracious support of our family and friends...we love and appreciate you all.  It's been a rough year, but I am certain it will end on a positive note that will carry us on through next year and beyond...we will endure and keep hope alive or, as a wise and beautiful Irish woman from Colorado once told us, "Don't let the bastards get you down!"  Wise words and a beautiful sentiment, indeed...cheers to all of you this Thanksgiving weekend!

That wave never did catch him.