Sammy & Ilna, in this trying year particularly, I am so very thankful that you are family.

Love you both more than I can say.

REAL McRollers, we are thankful for your love and loyalty every day of the year.

2020 Thanksgiving Marathon Part 1

Thankful Paper

DJ waved to Michael and his other friends before hopping into his father's truck.

"Hi, Daddy, your case is all finished?" He smiled at Steve's nod. "You caught the bad guy."

"We did, so we're done for the afternoon. How was your day, buddy?"

"Great! Ms. Lane showed a movie and me an' Michael got to pass out the snacks."

"Sounds like a great day," Steve said after hearing more details of what happened in the second grader's classroom and at recess.

"And we did thankful papers. I got mine in my backpack, I got two stickers on it." His wide grin lit his eyes when he held up as many fingers - he'd saved the best detail of his day for last.

"Two stickers? Excellent job!" Steve rolled to a stop at the Rollins' condo and caught his son's expression in the mirror. "I can't wait to see it." He turned to face him. "We're having dinner with Grandma, Grandpa and Grandma Ang. I know everyone would love to read it." He knew how much DJ liked showing assignments and tests to his grandparents and great grandma.

"Yay! 'cause they're all in it."

Steve got out and opened the back door. Offering his hand, DJ took it when he hopped down. "Let's go tell them."

"Daddy an' DJ he'we!" Angie announced as she barreled across the room to greet them.

Steve lifted her for a hug. "Hey, baby girl, did you have fun today?"

She nodded. "I make coc'nut pancakes wif Est'a and potata-sa'wad wif grandma."

He placed her down to hug her brother. "That sounds yummy." Looking up to greet his in-laws, he smiled. "Catherine's right behind us. She had a budget meeting at ten that just got out." He shuddered a little then grinned at the thought of a five hour financial meeting with a room full of politicians making him cringe, that his wife would get through with her usual finesse.

"Mommy comin'?" Angie confirmed.

"Mommy's here, sweetie," Catherine's voice preceded her from the foyer.

"Yay! Evabody he'we!" Angie lifted her arms for a hug when Cathrine stepped into the room.

Pecking Steve's lips after hugging the kids, she dropped her purse on a chair. "I'm gonna change real quick," she motioned to her grey pencil skirt and black sleeveless blouse. Kissing her parents and Grandma Ang hello, she ducked into the spare room where she kept a few changes of clothes and emerged in shorts and a CUBS tank top. Joining Elizabeth in the kitchen, she rubbed her hands together. "I've been waiting for your potato salad all day, Mom. What can I do?"

"Everything's ready." Elizabeth smiled. "Just put those two bowls on the table and we can eat."

The family discussed DJ's two sticker paper, Angie's coconut pancake making with Ester and plans for the week over dinner as the kids excitedly listed all the fun things they were going to do with Joan once the LA family arrived the next day.

When Steve stood to clear the dishes, DJ hopped up to help. Smiling at the seven year old, he said, "Now that the table's clean, do you want to show everyone your paper?"

"Yeah!" He ran to grab his backpack, carefully pulling it out. Ms. Lane had placed each child's papers in clear sheet protectors so they could be safely transported home and saved. "Should I read it, or pass it around?" He returned to the table and stood next to his mother.

Kissing his temple, Catherine ran a hand over his hair. "Whatever you want, honey."

When the little boy smiled and said, "Can I read it and then pass it around so everyone can see the drawings?" She shared a smile with Steve. The level of comfort and confidence their son had now versus a year ago was a source of pure joy for both.

"I think that's a great idea," Joseph nodded his agreement with the others as Grandma Ang reached out and squeezed DJ's hand.

"Go ahead, sweet boy, whenever you're ready."

Everyone smiled when Angie, who'd hopped onto Elizabeth's lap, echoed her namesake. "When eva' you weady, DJ, wead you stowy."

DJ kneeled up on his chair and the little boy who a year before couldn't read more than a few words, beamed at his grandma, his first real teacher, and began.

"What I am thankful for by DJ McGarrett"

Ms. Lane said mine was the longest list." He glanced up to a room of smiles and when he focused on the paper again, Ang reached out and patted her daughter's arm.

"I am thankful for being official and having the best family ever. My Mommy and Daddy, my sister Angie, Grandma, Grandpa and Grandma Ang, our dog Cammie and Pumpkin our new kitten." He grinned at the dog sitting a few feet away on the overstuffed chair. "And Smokey and Gizmo.

My Uncle Aaron, Aunt Mary cousin Joan and Aunt Deb that live in California and and my New Jersey Nonna. All my aunts and uncles and cousins."

Everyone chuckled as he listed them all. From Danny, Grace and Gabby to Midnight the cat.

"I'm thankful that I got a big family, and we all love each other."

He took a breath and looked at Catherine who nodded with a brilliant smile and shimmering eyes.

"I am thankful for my room, my bed with my Grandpa John's spindles and my new Lightning McQueen pajamas.

For our house that's got air conditioning and 'lectricity that don't get shut off. And we have real good food - as much as we want. There's no yelling in our house. And no mean people. Mommy and Daddy laugh a lot of times."

Joseph and Steve exchanged a look at that, each silently hating those who put DJ in a situation that would make a seven year old aware of such things.

"I'm thankful for getting new clothes and sneakers when mine get too small and cool clothes that don't fit my cousin Jacob no more, like my minions t-shirt and my awesome sneakers his feet got too big for really fast." He nodded at that, clearly remembering Jenna's comment that Jacob had outgrown the sneakers in what seemed like a matter of weeks.

I got my own books and ones from the library and for going to the library and for Ms. Kristin and my toys and my bike I got for my birthday.

For my best friend Michael and all my friends.

That my Daddy, Grandpa and Uncle Danny coach my team and that I get some hits and runs.

I am thankful for my school and Ms. Lane, who's super nice.

My Mommy and Daddy don't just take care of me and my sister. They take care of other people too. Daddy catches bad guys so the island is safe and Mommy helps everyone by helping Governor Lea make important rules and laws.

I got lots of things on my list because I am very thankful."

DJ handed the paper to his mother and the shy smile he gave his family broadened into a beaming one when everyone clapped and congratulated him. Elizabeth wiped a tear and Ang patted her eyes with a napkin as Catherine gathered him into a hug. "That was the best Thanksgiving list I've ever heard, sweetheart," She said while Angie, caught up in the moment, clapped and squealed, "Yay, DJ! Good job!" Repeating the phrase their parents often used to praise her and her brother.

Steve cleared his throat and was next to hug his son. "Mommy and I are so proud of you, and we're very, very thankful you're ours." He told the little boy who was hugging him tightly.

After hugs all around, everyone commented on the drawings that accompanied the carefully printed paper.

The family of four holding hands with their pets by their side.

Joseph helping DJ use a hammer.

Grandma Ang with both kids and a BINGO card.

Elizabeth reading a story to him and Angie.

And one of a large group of people labelled 'My Family'.

Sniffing lightly as she rose and planted another kiss on DJ's head, Elizabeth straightened. "That beautiful paper needs to be framed. Can grandpa and I have a copy?"

"Really?" DJ looking thrilled was an understatement.

"Absolutely." She smiled at Angie who had stayed close when she stood. "Do you know what else that perfect presentation deserves?" She took DJ by the hand and smiling at her daughter and son in law who had laced their fingers, said, "A photo so we can be thankful for such a wonderful grandson. Lift up your paper, honey, and stand by Mommy and Daddy."

He did as she chuckled, "Go get in the picture, Angie," and when the little girl stood up tall next to her brother, Elizabeth raised her phone and captured the proudly beaming seven year old and his smiling parents. The shutter clicked and preserved forever one very thankful family.

#End. Thanks for reading!

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