A Thanksgiving with a sprinkle of sadness.
Our first Thanksgiving as a married couple was spent with Ran in Saudi Arabia and me in Houston with my usual group of friends. It was our second Thanksgiving that was most memorable.
November 1982. Ran had been assigned to Ramstein AFB Germany. He arrived at the beginning of November. Eight month old Jon and I were able to join as soon as he found a place for us all to live. We arrived in mid-November. We were new arrivals just in time for the American Thanksgiving holiday. Ran’s boss’ wife Sandy was kind enough to invite us to join their Thanksgiving. Just Sandy, Ran’s boss Bill, and their 3 yr old Billy and the three of us. Nervous to dine with the boss’ family I asked when to arrive and then figure out if we should be exactly on time, a little early, a little late? “Two o’clock should be good,” she said. “Dinner will be around 4.”
They lived in a little village next to our little village. The drive would take less than 5 min. Looking back….we could’ve walked. The door opened after a couple knocks revealing Bill in his bathrobe, Sandy in hers and Billy running around in PJs. Imagining an egregious faux pas, we offered to return later. “No, come on in,” said Bill……
The meal was wonderful. The Driessleins were wonderful. Billy managed to entertain little Jon.
The story told at work was a little different. Bill, a wonderful story teller, told everyone that we had “just shown up” – no mention of Sandy’s invitation. Not only that we were so early they were barely out of bed. A good story teller, that Bill. The story gained more each time the story was told.
Evidently we were welcome enough guests that we were invited for Christmas, too. And the next Thanksgiving. And the next Christmas. But by the 3rd Christmas Bill regaled us by saying, “should we invite you? Or are you just going to show up?” Followed by his laughter at his own story and jokes. So, we did. We just started showing up.
In 1986 we were relocated to Los Angeles for 3 years. In 1989 Bill retired from the Air Force and the Driessleins finally returned from Germany to their house in Burke VA outside DC. In 1989 we were relocated to Ran’s assignment at the Pentagon.
I don’t remember if we told them we were in town. But, we showed up uninvited, unannounced for Thanksgiving and Christmas for the next 4 years. Always welcomed. Always treated like family. Always with Sandy’s hilarious stories and loving demeanor and Bill’s conjured stories.
Family.
This August 2019, Billy, now 40, and his wife and their new infant daughter visited from their home in FL because Sandy was ailing and not doing well. Sandy was able to enjoy holding her new granddaughter. A very few days later, at the age of 86+, Sandy found peace after all her battles with strokes and kidney problems. Bill had doted over her and even learned to perform her dialysis at home. Such a loving couple. Clearly he would miss her terribly. She was his everything.
November 26, just this past Tuesday, Bill passed away unexpectedly. Also in his mid-80s. Clearly not able to get past his loss. Billy feels the loss, but knows they are happier together.
Family. Rest In Peace, Bill and Sandy. We’re always your family whenever you need us, Billy.
Love, Susan and Randy
