Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was a day for giving thanks but it was a day for grieving for us as well. John got a phone call from his dad today with the news that his grandmother, Abuela Luisa, had passed away. She was 93 and had been in ill health for a while but that never lessens the sadness. She was a ferociously strong woman who had raised her five sons all alone after losing her husband at a young age in Cuba. John and I head to Florida tomorrow to attend her funeral.

We did give thanks for the years we had with Abuela Luisa. We spent a little time with her just a few weeks ago, and we give thanks for that opportunity too.

On a much brighter side of life, it's my beautiful, passionate, ferociously protective sister Cindy's birthday today!! She earned the nickname "Bulldog" because she's always there when we need the support. Nobody messes with Cindy's family!! I miss her terribly and wish her the greatest birthday ever!

Our turkey dinner went very well. With the sad news of the day coming in just as we were carving the turkey, it did make for a cool meal but it was delicious none the less. We had 22 people here, welcoming the nearest and dearest Bolivians to join us for our feast. John's driver, his children and grandmother along with our maid and the two maids of John's office mates sat at our table and gave thanks. It was a bit of a job to get the maids to sit with us but they finally relented. The three of them are simply wonderful.

A little later on, we went to another friend's house for (more) dessert. We didn't stay long as we had so much to do at home to prep for our trip. Good friends are going to care for the kids until Dominga can stay here with them. I won't be gone from here for long, John continues on from Miami to a speaking engagement later next week.

Again, hope your Turkey Day was full of thanks! I'm certainly thankful for you! :-)