Turkeys and Dolphins and Beers, Oh My!

Greetings,

Ahhh, waking up in the morning on Thanksgiving day. It was like walking into a technicolor world as I took my cup of coffee to the front porch to watch the sunrise. (Ok, I lied, I didn't wake up until 8:30, but the sunrise part sounded more impressive.) The thought of having 4 days off just invigorated me. We were going to be celebrating Thanksgiving at my cousin’s house, and we were responsible for the turkey. This is right up my alley! I think I was more excited about carving the turkey than I was eating it. Actually, now that I think of it, carving the perfect turkey just might be my next Youtube cooking video!

Adding to the festive atmosphere was the fact that the Miami Dolphins were playing football on Thanksgiving Day! (you know where this is going). How much better can life get? Turkeys, Dolphins, and beer! My whole family is Dolphins fanatics. Everyone had Dolphins garb on, from our little 3-year-old cousin to Grandpa. There were a few Cowboys fans scattered throughout the house (I’m not sure how they made it in) and I kept my eye on them the whole day.

The food was so good, and the turkey looked great all prepared on its plate. The game was just about to start and I did my ritual (face south and do a little bow in the direction of Dan Marino’s house). This had worked in the past, but the Dolphins of late have not been very good. If I only had a brain, I would have realized this before I got myself all wound up. At one point, I was convinced that the Cowboys fans had summoned the flying monkeys to swoop down and destroy our party. I didn't have the heart to tell everyone that I thought we were going to lose.

It was only the first of my 4 days off, and things were going downhill fast. The next day, I aimlessly walked around in a slight state of despair, but soon realized that my small vacation could be saved with the Gator game coming up on Saturday! I didn’t have the nerve to tell anyone that I was going to count on the Gators to save my vacation, so I quietly and patiently waited until game-time to reveal my excitement. I sprung from my room minutes before kickoff with my “I bleed orange and blue” tee shirt on. After the first quarter, I felt as though someone had dropped a house on me. I needed this vacation to end!

As I sit here now in my operatory, with the comfort of familiar things around me, it dawns on me all of the things I am thankful for: my children, my wife, my home, my office, my parents, my brother and sister, my health, and my great friends. It also dawns on me that I do have a brain, and I do have a heart, and that I do have courage, or I wouldn't be where I am today. I was really looking forward to those 4 days off, but I am glad I am back at work. Dorothy was right, there is no place like home.

Have a great weekend.

Scott