by Annie M Manzi

Created on: November 16, 2009   Last Updated: November 17, 2009

Gwen stared at the colorful invitation she just received to join her best friend and her family for Thanksgiving. Actually it was an invitation for a whole weekend of festivities. She had expected the invite, but it was a relief to get it anyway. She could always count on Celia to give her an out from having to suffer through another one of Gwen's family gatherings. Gwen's family were notorious for arguing with each other and with anyone who came into their path. There were already distinct war signs that everyone in her family were girding up their armor to do major battle this holiday season. Gwen had enough and she just wanted some peace and quiet for once. Not that life at Celia's family's home was quiet, it was loud and noisy, but without all the hurtful drama her family wallowed in.

Celia had three other sisters and four brothers and various nieces and nephews. Her parents raised happy and joyful children in a loving Christian environment that was full of activities and fun. It was always a pleasure going to Gwen's house and she often went. She was always welcomed with open arms and lots of love. Gwen was fast becoming an unofficial part of the family.

Gwen and Celia became good friends in their junior year at college and Gwen often accompanied Celia to celebrate this event or that event that seemed to be always occurring at the Gager home. The rare times that Celia went to Gwen's home, she had to endure questions, tension and bickering between the family members and extended family. It was almost too much to bear and the two girls always cut their visits short. Celia seemed to pull her friend in towards her own family more and more whenever they came in contact with Gwen's family. She instinctively knew that Gwen needed unconditional love and being part of something good.

This Thanksgiving would be a special one for the family. The oldest Gager son, Gary, was coming home from back-to-back tours of duty; one in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan. He was being honored with a weekend long celebration starting with a big family Thanksgiving dinner and continueing with an open house until Sunday evening. The whole family would gather together first thing Thursday morning to prepare the feast in the large country kitchen and set the house up for the weekend. Gwen was expected to be part of this family first team and to arrive early. There would be indoor and outdoor games along with videos of family and friends taken over the years for people to watch at their

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