This conversation takes place the day before Thanksgiving and blends practical talk about painting with reflections on family, loss, and resilience. Shannon talks about how holidays feel different without family nearby. She recall spending Thanksgiving with a friend, Ed, who has since passed away, leaving a noticeable void. Shannon shares the pain of missing their children in Arizona, who are now teenagers and distant under the influence of their stepmother.
They feel helpless as their kids seem forced into adult responsibilities like cooking and babysitting, which she resents because they wanted their children to enjoy a real childhood. Alongside the grief, there are lighter moments—discussions about pets, laughter while painting, and jokes about bike repairs. The conversation captures the tension between sorrow and small joys: the sadness of family separation against the grounding routine of projects and companionship.
