Destination: Sellstone Clan Thsnksgiving at Lake Quinault Lodge

"The Journey Matters" - motto of St. George's School, Middletown, RI

This was a topic of conversation at our Thanksgiving meal at Lake Quinault Lodge.  Rachel and her husband Chad, met and graduated from St. George's. This was not an ordinary Thanksgiving table. We were all together and that is what mattered.

Thanksgiving could be a difficult holiday for the Sellstone's as this was the day, 27 years ago, when my dear dad, John Stanley Sellstone died suddenly, from an apparent embolism, as a complication from knee surgery. He was 62.  We were all together. With the exception of Chris in Denver.  I was making cream sauce for the peas and onions. Van was checking the temperature of the bird in the oven. Mumu was setting the table. Jay and Cathy were minding the babies, Eric, Rachel and Schuyler.

Since this tragedy, it has been my mission to make Thanksgiving a holiday of thanks and remembrance. On this day, I try to celebrate my dad's life. He was my engineering mentor and hero. He had a calming and jovial spirit. All who knew Jack, loved him.  I miss him every day. At the time, I wondered how we would ever enjoy another Thanksgiving holiday. 

Decades later, with the grandchildren he barely knew, the three grand children and daughter-in-law he had never met, we were all together in this beautiful setting. Jack would be so proud.  This was a reason to be thankful every day, for the strength the Sellstones have mustered, to continue on, surrounded by his spirit.

I will let my pictures tell the story of Thanksgiving 2021. I have behind in my posts, but I wish all my readers a happy and healthy holiday season. May the spirits of our loved ones, passed and present, surround you all.

And this is the turkey that visited from CA!

Thank you TCB, my family and all the readers who have followed us on our journey. The journey matters.

Shirley Metcalf
Artist, Quilter, Traveler