Fly in the Ointment: Thanksgiving Dinner 2025

 Fly in the ointment: We had a relaxed Thanksgiving. Turkey, dressing, gravy, yams, potatoes... golden sauted, mashed, and potato salad, an assortment of veggies... carrots, celery, jicama, and green onions, and pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream. 😋The issue came when I went to plate them.

I used a creamer for the gravy, since that was right size for the amount of gravy we might use. Each time I reach for that creamer, I am reminded of its twin that was stolen many years ago. It miraculously returned after I mentioned the loss. However, an extra stoneware gravy boat I had disappeared and never returned, as did cut crystal salt and pepper shakers and silver plated ladle given to me for my wedding. I brushed the thought aside and continued with the preparations. Gaslighting and theft from our home has been a major issue since we moved to San Diego. ​😖

When I retrieved my carefully packed away, vintage, veggie platter, I discovered that three curved container sections and their tops had been taken, leaving the center bowl and one container with a discolored and badly cracked lid atop the platter tray beneath its clear plastic cover.☹️

I recalled seeing curved sections with lids at my son's house. My son said his wife had 3 curved containers with lids. How coincidental that I am missing 3. 🤔 I asked if she hadn't had four. He said she'd had one that the top was damaged and discolored, but she must have gotten rid of it, since he hadn't seen it in a while.

As I pulled my placemats from the sideboard, I discovered a missing special Thanksgiving placemat that I made specially for heated items to sit on.😧 It's thicker than the placemats in the photo with the same fabric.

My hope is that by posting about items I discover missing it will explain to people how gaslighting-theft works, what's been going on for the past 15 years at my house, and raise awareness of this growing crime. In talking to other seniors, a few are experiencing similar incidents, while people in their lives tell them it is in their imagination.☹️

Sometimes it might be, but this is not. Having been legally blind until the end of 8th grade, I learned a lifelong habit to keep parts of things together. Otherwise I would struggle to find them.

I now have a witness who can verify things "magically" being damaged or disappearing.😊 I also hope to jar something loose in my son's memory.

In the meantime, I am thankful for regaining purpose and happiness, inspite of the major losses of both family and property.
I am pursuing starting a non-profit that I was about to file just prior to Covid to help catastrophically disabled people enjoy their lives. 🤗
I have dear friends I love and care about and am back to playing games and laughing.😄