A GREAT THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

Mom and I had a really great Thanksgiving. We had dinner at Joe and Lisa's and as usual Lisa served us a gormet meal topped by the traditional turkey. She was helped by Mom, Dawn and Bonnie. Joe, Dan, Matt and I must have put on 10 pounds each. I am still eating the leftover desserts. Matt brought a board game that brought roars from the boys. The football games were on television but I think we were thinking of the "Turkey Bowl". A good time was had by all.
We heard that the Virginia Celebration at Margie and Hanks was a memorable affair. Kate and Chad and the boys, Mickey and Becky and the boys, Jean and Fritz and the boys, Mary and Ben, Eileen and Thom and a boy and Amy (how did she get in there)and of course Margie and Hank and the boys were all there. That makes 5 sisters and 1 brother and their spouses and 14 of our Grandsons and little Amy. They tell me that the noise level was tremendous. There were card games and board games going on all the time. Hank had set the tables so that they were all in one line, All the sisters and Becky worked together with Margie to produce a traditional turkey dinner. Then there was the traditional "Turkey Bowl" touch football game. All the boys and their Dads played on the front lawn. With the boys getting older some of the touches were pretty hard. There was some minor blood shed and one person ran into a tree but there were no broken bones. Little Conner (4 years old) wanted to get in the middle of it all. On the day before there was a warmup game at the local high school. Ben recieved the trophy as the MVP.
JoAnn, Augie, Nicole, Mario and the the children and Bren, Jana and the kids were unable to attend. They had a traditional dinner at home.
A good time was had by all and now the preparations for Christmas begin in ernest.
God bless all here.

THANKSGIVING

It is that time of the year when we reflect on the graces that are in our life and we thank GOD for bestowing them on us. The greatest of my graces is Eileen (MOM) who has been my wife for over 55 years. She is truely the backbone of our family. Then the eleven children that we have had together. You all know the joy that each of your children has brought into your life. Well multiply that by eleven and you know how Mom and I feel. Add to that our 23 grandchildren and our 3 great-grandchildren. They each occupy a special place in our hearts.
On the material side, we live in a nice house in a good neighborhood; we have air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter; there are two cars in our garage; we support one healthfood store and two pharmacies; we have never been hungry; my closet is full and my bureau is overflowing.
All of which brings me to thinking about all of the poor and needy people.
Last year Matt started it by giving me a check which he said I should give to my favorite charity. I gave it to the local St. Vincent de Paul Society. I chose them because I know that they use everything they recieve to help the needy. There is no large overhead. Everyone is a volunteer.
This year I would like to set up a fund; instead of shopping for me and mailing me your presents I would like it if you sent me a check for the amount you would have spent. I will then give that fund to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the name of the Meehan Family.
Think of all the time you will save not going to the mall and standing on line at the post office. You can also make the check out directly to St Vincnt de Paul so you can take a tax deduction. WOW,WHAT A DEAL.
Love you all.

COOL WEATHER IN FLORIDA

At long last the cool weather has arrived in Florida. It took a little longer to arrive this year. When I say cool, I don't mean anything like you are going to get up north. When I see the $3 price of gasoline, I cringe at what your cost will be for heating your houses. If it was me it would mean back to long johns and sweaters.
Well you have one alternative, you can always visit here for a couple of weeks.
The only new thing to report is that Ben completed th New York Marathon in 4 hours.
Way to go!!!!!!!!!
I recieved an E-Mail with an enclosure from George Carlin which I am going to quote:
Remember: Spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember: Say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave our side.
Remember: To give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasue you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember: to say 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones. but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside you.
And Always remember: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the momens that take our breath away.
LOVE YOU ALL........