New Awakens Routine

This year's Thanksgiving was nice and quiet, but at times almost alarmingly quiet. In the yearly holiday rotation, this year yielded to her dad's side of the family. Dinner was gluttonously Thanksgiving-like and the game of Scrabble was fierce as ever, with dictionary in reach. She knew why things just didn't feel right. A particular aunt, uncle and set of cousins were not present this year. They were the ones who always kept the house loud, while leaving her wondering how one family could possibly be so loud and annoying. This year she noticed her lack of annoyance, while they sat in California awaiting the arrival of their oldest Marine son from Iraq. Their turkey sat waiting in the freezer for his arrival home. "He should be getting home anytime," we heard. Not even his family was allowed to know where he was and what day or time he would be coming home. Silence stomped through her attention span. Thanksgiving was new for her this year. Thanksgiving was new for them all this year.