It began as an Introvert's Worst Nightmare--Thirty-three or thirty-four people (we never got an accurate count) crammed into my nephew's home meant comfortably for a family of five.
When the spacious community room we normally reserve for Thanksgiving was not available, Aaron offered his and Robyn's house in SW Portland (Aaron disputes this account and has no recollection of how it came to be that our entire extended family + friends suddenly converged on his home on Thanksgiving Day.) As gracious host, he showed everyone to his or her seat--"This is your chair. Please try not to move."
Almost-two year old Kel thoroughly checked the house to make sure it was kid-proof.
Gary and Renee discussing the number of people that could still be squeezed into the house before causing structural damage or the neighbors calling the fire marshal.
Surprisingly, it all worked out well, very, um, intimate, and this card-carrying Introvert experienced only two (and relatively minor) panic attacks, and the rumor is that Aaron is going to offer his house again next year.
[First posted: November 30, 2014]
