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Malone Thanksgiving 2008

November 27, 2008

About 10 years ago some friends started a tradition of gathering the Saturday before Thanksgiving to cook a meal together, play football, and to share with each other all that we were thankful for from the previous year.  This tradition has become a linchpin in the life of our community of friends.

More than simply attending, it is not uncommon for us as a group to do everything in our power to help others find a way to to be there to share in the day.  There is nothing magic about the day, but I do believe that there is something sacred about it.  It is perhaps the day of the year that I look most forward to.

Yearly, this community continues to grow.  Many people in our community are in the season of life where babies are coming into the picture.  These little ones add an incredible dimension to our community.  We have had conversations in the past about raising kids together and it was really cool to listen to Caris, the oldest kid in the group (almost 4), refer to all these people as “uncle” and “aunt.”

My friends Ryan and Heather have new born twins and I would venture to say that the rest of us cared for them more during the day – holding them, changing them, feeding them, and attending to their cries, than Heather and Ryan.  They are awesome parents, it’s got nothing to do with that, but everything to do with the fact that for us as a community there is no aspect of life that is not shared.

As always, the day of feasting on food and fellowship was followed up by a big ol slumber party back in Canton at a couple different houses.  The event on Saturday is special enough in and of itself, but some of my favorite memories are created after as we play games, continue to share meals, have coffee, share stories, and visit local favorite spots.  Man, I am already ready for Thanksgiving ’09!

Enjoy some pictures!

Posted in: community, friends, kids, malone