I am grateful that my sister took my Dad to Washington, DC this morning for a whirlwind 4 1/2 day tour.

I am grateful for the opportunity last night to re-live a favorite childhood memory – sitting down with my Dad and sharing a big bowl of macaroni and cheese. Which makes me grateful for macaroni and cheese, just about any kind. Kraft Mac & Cheese out of that blue box, Velveeta Shells & Cheese with the can inside, homemade in a 9×13 that is loaded with cheese and cream and gooey wonderful-ness… But, I am not that grateful for the leftover macaroni and cheese from a box that Mom used to put on the table, reheated with some milk to attempt to make it creamy again. I am grateful it is now a memory, although I would eat it with unbridled pleasure if it would bring Mom back for another meal at her kitchen table.

I am grateful for pretty fruit bouquets.

I am grateful for Mom’s bird book that Dad brought for me to use so that I can figure out what that bird is called.

I am grateful for memories of May Day as a child: the excitement of making baskets of flowers to hang on the neighbors’ doorsteps; winding the May Pole in the 5^th grade under the direction of Miss Meyers; and marching in the All Schools Day parade in McPherson as a drum majorette, complete with my white boots.

I’ll pretend mine were this cute.

And I am grateful for an absence of hunger.