Thanksgiving week, Part 2

Katie, Molli, Brooke and Cooper

Tara, who is taking her fourth year of ceramics


Cooper and Uncle Jim

Katie and Uncle Rich

Melane and Aunt Ami

Uncle Greg, official turkey carver

Cousins just before their annual toast (Cooper raised his cup and said heartily, "to Steve Damm!")

Jim and Betty

Ami, Tyra and Betty

After our quick San Antonio trip, the children and I drove back to Austin to stay with Aunt Ami and Uncle Rich.

We spent much of the time preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. Cooper, Katie, Brooke and Molli also played a lot, scattered wildflower seeds in the back lot and generally enjoyed having time together. We also visited cousin Tara at Westlake High School, where she's a senior. The ceramics studio and fine arts facilities are impressive for any level, especially high school.

(On a side note: The same day we visited Tara, Westlake's dance team director, Chelsee Capezzuti, was undergoing an exceedingly long surgery at UT-Southwestern. Every teacher we walked by was wearing a T-shirt in honor of Chelsee. It was a beautiful show of support.

Dr. Mickey, who was one of the first neurosurgeons Steve and I consulted almost two years ago, was removing a brain stem tumor that Chelsee has named "Betsy."

Her tumor, which isn't a glioblastoma like Steve's, was closer to the skull and therefore eligible for surgery. I checked her online journal throughout the day and was thrilled to see that she came out of the surgery OK. According to Chelsee's site, 75 to 85 percent of Betsy was removed.)

Jim and Betty drove in from Dallas and Uncle Jim drove in from Houston to spend Thanksgiving Day with the rest of the Damms, the Joneses and the Woodburys.

Just before dinner, we all gathered in the kitchen for grace -- as we always do. This year, of course, was very different without Steve's physical presence.

I believe we all felt his spirit among us, but I also wanted a tangible reminder. So before the prayer, Cooper, Katie and I lit a candle in memory of Steve. I plan on doing this for every holiday or special event for, well, forever.