Sounds wonderful.   We had a great time too, and are going to drive another
80 miles south into NJ to do it all over again with my son and his new
in-laws, since my new daughter in law had to work yesterday. (She's a
nurse).

You know I couldn't help but think of Ida yesterday.   She loved parties and
food and friends and having a good time more than anything, and she was a
fantastic cook, preparing all sorts of traditional Estonian foods for
various occasions.   When she began to get ill, she changed and couldn't
remember how to put a meal together or how to do anything that required
organizing anymore, it just got too confusing.

By the time she was sick enough for us to "rescue" her, she had fallen into
a very sad state and she refused all social events completely, just staying
home in her house, not venturing out even to buy food, not getting dressed
in nice clothing, not getting her hair cut nicely, not even taking the dog
out to walk anymore.

But once she was with us, we included her in lots of social events, parties,
dinners, weddings, whatever we could, and for a long time she was able to
enjoy herself immensely at these events.   Once she had a nice haircut, was
clean, had nice clothing to wear, she was again able to enjoy holidays and
the festivities they offered, all over again.

This is the first Thanksgiving since she passed away last spring, and I
can't help but feel a little sad but also relieved that her suffering is
finally over.

So Steve, it is nice to hear that your Dad is still in a place where he can
enjoy a holiday, and nice to hear that you still have him to enjoy as well.
For now at least, you really do have that tiger by the tail!