A Thanksgiving Surprise

TheSpecialOne and I spent last Christmas at La Alegría. It came as a surprise to her family, needless to say, since we left Christmas eve morning without telling anyone in advance.

As it turns out, they haven't forgotten about us not sharing Christmas with them.

When I arrived at her house Thanksgiving morning, around 2:30, TheSpecialOne's family had a surprise for me.

I knew her sisters were staying overnight to help with the cooking, which is unusual, but I didn't question as to why.

I quickly became very clear....


Yes, Thanksgiving at TheSpecialOne's house this year was a combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of course, it could have simply been Christmas.

I learned later that it came as a surprise to TheSpecialOne as well. One of her sisters has a key and while she was in Chicago for two days they decorated the house.


I was rather impressed by the whole thing, I must say. It's not often that someone pulls off something of this magnitude on me.

As much as anything I was amazed at just how much work they did in only two days.


I learned, from one of the brother-in-laws that it was her oldest sister who initiated the surprise. The planning began while I was on The Last Road Trip; they thought, after that experience, if there was ever a year to be thankful this is it.

Interesting that TheSpecialOne was able to keep the secret once she returned from Chicago. I may have to spank for her that.


Naturally, they didn't limit the holiday surprise to simply decorating the house, and bringing a few gifts for us. Oh, no, it carried over to the menu as well.

One of TheSpecialOne's sisters is a chef; she made sausage stuffed turducken. We also had roast goose and a ham.

You couldn't call it a Thanksgiving dinner and do it justice. It would best be described, I'd say, as a holiday feast.


It's been many years since I stopped giving gifts on occasions when they're "expected" because, to me, expectation diminishes gift giving.

That may seem contrary to the fact that I'm a fan of holidays. That's because holidays provide an opportunity to come together with those for whom I have feelings, not a reason to give gifts.

I've begun to think, though, that this year I may have to make an exception, at least when it comes to TheSpecialOne and her family. I'll have to ponder that one a bit.


Instead of buying gifts I may invite TheSpecialOne's family to spend Christmas at La Alegría.

I've never had them all there at one time before. Of course, to truly bring her entire family to Costa Rica I would probably have to charter a jet and I'm not sure that's something I want to do.

Fortunately these are decisions I don't have to make at the moment. All I know, with certainty, is this will not be a normal holiday season.

Cheers