T-Day and counting . . .

Appointments have been kept, errands run, lawn mowed, leaves raked, pool deck tables scrubbed, house cleaned, last minute food bought, brownies made, deviled eggs resting, the garlic roasted, the rappini par-boiled, dips garnished, extra leaves in the table. And best of all, my kidlet is home!

Tomorrow the turkey gets stuffed and roasted, the apple crisp gets assembled and ready to bake, the potatoes get mashed, the salad gets tossed, the rolls heated, the corn warmed, the beets dished, the ham sliced, and my family assembles. And once again, as every time this year, that old refrain echoes out from the recesses of my memory . . .

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

What a blessing this day is . . . to gather my family close. It does not get any better.