Saturday, December 3, 2011

Thanksgiving Fantasy Party

Jessica, Angela and the World Famous, Liam!

Wendy, Lauren and the Queen
Thanksgiving this year was one of the most enjoyable and memorable any of us have ever had.


If you want to truly experience life, hang out with some folks that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.  In my book, that would be Dominique, Justice, Liam and their brainchild, the Thanksgiving Fantasy Party.


The family was instructed to wear costumes that fulfilled their wildest dreams and desires.


A Queen was presiding.  Yep, that would be yours truly.  Dominique's fathers fantasy is that he somehow shares a passing resemblance to Hank Williams Jr. which was evidenced by his cowboy costume.  Dominique looked stunning with diamond studded false eyelashes, dark flowing hair, and a black sparkly ballerina tutu.  Even from a wheelchair, this woman still gives the world famous Mikhail Baryshnikov a run for his money.


I am continually impressed with the creativity that flows from Dominique.  Amidst a pretty tough week pain-wise, she still packed up the kids for a trip to the local Big! Lots to purchase the necessary items for our Fantasy Party.


When we walked into their Joshua Tree retreat home, we were treated to soft lights, candles burning, strings of mood lighting, a lava lamp glowing, and this really cool disco ball type thing that rotates and radiates multiple colors onto the walls.  Sacred drum music permeated the atmosphere.  If I were a guy and walked into this scene, I would've been convinced that I was about to get lucky.


And lucky we were!  We all enjoyed a prepared Thanksgiving meal from the local Stater Brothers which featured a moist turkey with all the fixins.  We sat around and laughed, told old family stories that we've all heard hundreds of times yet never tire of, played pictionary and drank fine wine.  Some of us even took a hit off of Dominique's oxygen tank.


The next day, we drove out to Joshua Tree National Park.  If you haven't visited this park, you absolutely must put this on your bucket list.  We've been talking about bucket lists quite a bit lately.  I highly encourage you all to start one.  This park is one of the most famous rock climbing parks in the world.  It inspired me so much, that I plan on giving rock climbing a try myself next time I'm in Joshua Tree.


I know that many of you have been quite concerned when you don't hear from Dominique for awhile, understandably.  When I spoke to her today, I asked her what she would like me to relay to all of you, our dear family and friends.  This is what she said:


Thank you, thank you, thank you ALL for your continuing support and caring enough to check on her.  She is quite optimistic because all of you have done so many little (and big) things.  The outpouring of love has touched her quite deeply.  Folks have sent money, books from favorite authors, her best loved flowers, phone calls, prayers.  One person even sent a nifty little electronic gadget that she had been wanting yet wouldn't have bought for herself.  When I walked into her room, she was clutching it dearly in bed just like a child with a teddy bear.


Liam and Justice are hangin' in there with style.  The two of them sit down with Dominique and write out family goals and objectives.  Liam is participating in band practice, and Justice is pursuing her art.  All this while getting good grades and helping take care of Mom.  Dominique gives her children the biggest gift that any parent can give a child.  The gift of encouraging them to be Who They Are.


Health-wise, the biggest thing for Dominique right now is simply keeping the stress levels down.  This usually means she can only take one or two phone calls a day.  Most of her beloved writing and blogging is currently in draft mode, so stay tuned.


I will leave you with a famous quote that I found on FaceBook today:


"I think I may go ahead and keep on living, for spite if anything" - Dominique Mainon


Jessica and My Grand Pup - Victor Jose Snaggles
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being you.  I LOVE YOU ALL!