Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 344:

One of the best days of the year, Conor... Thanksgiving!  Every year we give thanks for the many bounties this life provides and to do that, we celebrate like no one on Earth, Son.  For eleven years we've made the annual pilgrimage to Beaufort, SC for the Thanksgiving holiday, Conor.  Each of those  years would host the annual turkey fry of which me and about 10 other men will fry on the order of between 75 and 92 turkeys...  It's a marvel of manpower and the party of the year, Boy'O!  My role in the party is to bartend, Son, and it's something I love to do having once done it professionally.

There must be 200 people that attend this vast outdoor Southern party, Conor.  And it's a sight to behold; something Southern Living or Garden and Gun would love to write about, if only they were allowed.  It's truly a unique three day experience involving a full and open bar, huge sweeping live-oak trees, twinkle lights peppering the sky, seemingly limitless food, absolutely wonderful people, and true Southern hospitality.  It's an event recreated in movies, Boy'O.  A party others would only ever dream of.  And for me and Mommy, it's our eleventh year running, and it grows bigger and more amazing every single year.

The opportunity to share such a unique experience is not lost on me, Conor.  And now that you're in the world it's all that much more special, Son.  We give thanks for you, your health, your Mother's health, our family's strength, and the health and happiness of our loved ones today and ever more...

Following the Turkey Rub party last night and the Turkey Fry party this morning (that's a lot of Bloody Mary's, Boy'O!  My own special recipe...) we made our way to the Van Geysel's for a really great Thanksgiving Dinner with wonderful family and wonderful friends, cocktails and wine, and unbelievable food...  Quite the day.  And the Coup de Grâce, Son? Our Redskins beat the Cowboys!  And in their place, too!

A great day, Conor.  And today more than yesterday, I love you, Son...  And I am both thankful and humbled...
-Dad