"Knowles Thanksgiving Celebration"

We were delighted again to host the "Knowles Thanksgiving Celebration". Sue as her brother has labeled her is the Knowles Matriarch. Marquis Memorial UM Church, where Sue works is gracious enough to let us hold the Celebration there as we are such a large family to seat this many at a table in our house would be impossible. This year there were 33 present. Each year there is a different group of people here because each year, some are able to come and others are not. This is due to the circumstances in their lives, such as where they are living. For example, this year we find our niece Denise & her husband Jimmy & children Jackson & Luke living in Michigan where her husband has accepted the position as Assistant District Attorney. Denise's sister Kim and husband Drew who not long ago had a sweet baby girl Anna moved to England. We missed them. They were all in our thoughts and prayers and included in our prayer before our meal as well as Sue's brother Larry & wife Janet and all our other relatives not with us. Maybe in 2010 when we have our next "Knowles Thanksgiving Celebration" these family members will be with us. We will see you then!!!


Our son's wife Tara was able to bring her grandmother and aunt. This was so special. Her grandmother told Sue that since 1949 this was the very first year she didn't prepare Thanksgiving dinner. Sue felt so honored that she came and spent Thanksgiving with us. Imagine how it was for her not to fix Thanksgiving for the first time in 59 years. That must have been bittersweet. We can't imagine how she felt, but Sue was so honored to have her and Tara's Aunt with us.



Eric and Holly also joined in with the children. Entertaining them with their talents too. They showed them how to give "piggy back rides" and even gave them rides. Then they showed them how they give each other rides! They were great with the children. The adults got a big kick out of watching them. Aunt Sue almost had a heart attack when Eric showed Sue how Holly dismounted.


There were 6 children somewhat close to the same age that had a ball playing together and renewing there friendship. It was fun to see them playing together and looking forward to seeing each other again. They toured the church, played hide and seek and just enjoyed being together.



This year we had our niece Stephanie and her very soon to be husband, Cliff. Also Cliff's mother, father, sister and brother from Arizona! It was great getting to know them. Sue was able to chat with them while eating. They were very nice and so gracious. Such a wonderful family! And Cliff, wow, what a wonderful husband he is going to be! He jumped right in with Stephanie and they joined Donna, Eric, and Holly and kicked Sue out of the kitchen after the meal. They dove right in and did the entire clean up! That was a trememdous job and they did it all! What a crew! They did a super job! We can't thank them enough. This was Stephanie's first time coming to the Knowles Thanksgivng Celebration and she just dove right in and helped. You are all such a blessing!



Bob and Robin also brought Robin's son Jose. It was great to get to know him better. Ben another of Robin's sons was also there. We were so sorry we didn't get the opportunity to visit with him one on one. I hope he will forgive us. We were so happy he did get to be with us and hope he will come again and give us to opportunity to get to know him more.

Rick and Donna, came with Eric and Holly. It was wonderful to have them all here this year. They are always such a help with clean up and it is so great to see them. We need to get together more often. Let's try. We don't see each other near enought! We miss being with you. Let's make more of an effort.


The people that came as visitors are now family and are expected to come again to our Knowles Family Thanksgiving Celebrations. We hope to see you next time!

We can not tell you how delighted we are to host these Celebrations. The Social Hall is empty, the dishes are all packed away, the crock pots are all stored and linens are tucked away. As we reflect on all the fun and fellowship, the work that went into getting ready was nothing but joy in preparation for our every other year "Knowles Thankgiving Celebration". See you all in November 2010"