We've hosted Thanksgiving for over 10 years, now. It started way back in the townhouse when Mom and Dad lived in Illinois and would come east for the weekend. Then we had our house, and "kids", and the guest list grew...and grew. This year, we had 10 adults, 8 kids, and a dog. Not bad considering 5 of those kids were mine!
Along the lines of tradition, Mom and Dad (Christgau) came down on Wednesday to help "prepare" for the day. Zoe and I hung the "Thanksgiving Poster" for guests to write what their thankful for. And Granddad took Zoe and Ty into Manhattan to visit his brother and sister and their families on Thanksgiving morning. (That's always a huge hit with the kids. They love the city and think they're so cool when they get to walk around and see the big buildings.)
(I love that the posters are getting less and less "doodley". Sure, there are still 5 and 7 year olds that draw a few Spidermans and "Crazy Guys", but still...)
Nana and PopPop Higby had a special surprise for the big grand-boys this year. PopPop had been working on swords for the boys for QUITE some time. The boys were very excited. But he and Nana added to the gift when they presented the swords to the boys on Thanksgiving.
First, Sam, Ty and Noah had to line up and stand still while they were given some helmets.
Then, PopPop began to read...
Be it known that on this day, Thanksgiving Day, November 26th in the year of our LORD Two Thousand and Nine that Sirs Samuel Michael Higby, Noah David Higby and Ty Douglas Higby are Knighted as Defenders of the Faith in the Kingdom of God under the Lordship of our LORD Jesus Christ, given great power through the life of the Holy Spirit within them.
Take these helmets, which represent the salvation which our LORD God has provided for us through His one and only Son, and these shields of faith by with which you are able to extinguish every sort of trick the enemy of our souls will hurl at you...
...and these swords, which represent the living Word of God. Use them wisely, to protect yourselves and the ones you love.
Be strong in your LORD, and in His mighty power. Stand your ground. Stand firm with the armor and weapon the LORD gave. Be strong and very courages. Be careful to obey all the law the LORD your God has given you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let the Word of God depart from your mouth: think abou it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything it tells you. Then you wil be prosperous and successful. Be strong and courageous. Don not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. He will never leave you or turn is back on you.
Sammy, Noah and Ty - you are hereby entrusted as defenders of our faith on this most happy day of Two Thousand and Nine.
The boys LOVED their Knighthood. I wish I had video'ed the knight-hood. Ty gasped and "ooooh'ed" and "aaaaaaaaaah'ed". His smile was bigger than I'd seen in quite some time (if ever). He thought this was the best thing...ever! We didn't see the boys most of the day. The treehouse became Zoe's castle and they spent the afternoon defending her from innumerable dragons and "bad guys".
2 comments:
Beautiful and memorable! Total Higby style!
what a great idea! and what a great memory for the boys :)
Post a Comment