Thanksgiving 2011 (2nd Version Life Less Ordinary)

"The Thanksgiving Tradition" started by Marguerite & Luther Winstead so many years ago in Elgin, Oklahoma where anyone could drop by and see that Things Were Still The Same and the house at 110 4th Place is still standing but the heart of the home , Marguerite Winstead, is with the Lord now 5 years. Dad, Luther Winstead died young; we started gathering at the St. Anne's Catholic Church Hall to accomidate our growing families and the need for more room and ovens. After Marie and Tim passed away our spirits were heavy with grief as we met each Thanksgiving after. Momma's struggle with Alzheimer's continued to wear her down, resulting in an unnecessary fall while she resided at Ten Oaks Living Center. As the doctors warned us, the fall & breaking her hip plus so much time in the hospital and changes in medications increased the aggressive nature of Alzheimer's. She lived 3 months after we forcefully rescued her from Cedar Oaks nursing home as they neglected feeding her since she wouldn't do it herself. Down to 98 pounds, Dave picked her up from the wheel chair and sat her in the pick-up. She was smiling when he told her, "we're going to Frederick". Within a week she had gained 5 pounds and continued to gain and get stronger. The months we had left were filled with lots of good times as our family took turns coming to visit and help. Her last birthday celebration at age 87 was such a blessing as our large family filled Dave's and my home there in Frederick,Ok. Our daughters, Amanda & Ashley made her favorite cake (and ours) which she called "the Hummingbird Cake" and she did get to eat some. She lived 1 more month after that; the day she died was a beautiful day outside; perfectly cool with the backdoor open and breezes blowing through just the way she liked it. October 4th 2005 our lives were changed forever. The shock of her death wouldn't have been as intense if we hadn't already been in such intense grief. Bob's wife, Margaret, has passed away in June and the gravity of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities involved when a loved one passes away was almost more than one can bare. Losing Margaret so quickly was a shock to us; then as if by some terrible mistake, after Mom died, her own beloved mother, Zoe, also passed away just a month later. How could this be? We all were in a protective shock. Numb from the news and feeling as if it were all a nightmare. How does a family go on with so many losses? It hasn't been easy and we're all changed because of it. Some of us have struggled with deep depression and emotional pain which we never expected to affect us the way it has. We continue to help each other with the pain of losing our dear ones. We all know it would be impossible without the hope we all have in God and the truth of His promise that we will see each other again in Heaven , for Eternity; that is where our strength and endurance comes from. The love that Jesus Christ has for each one of us keeps us pressing on "one day at a time". We have today to make a difference in our families & the World. So, this song about the little house down the street was so familiar, I chose it for the theme song of this slideshow for Thanksgiving 2011.

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People & Blogs

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• Winstead
• Thanksgiving
• 2011