True Thanksgiving

 Our Thanksgiving meal wasn't around a big, brightly lit table; we were in a cafeteria.  There was no carved turkey with all of the fixings sitting in the middle; we went through a line and got food ice cream scooped onto our plates.  The food was mediocre at best; I missed our candied sweet potatoes and homemade pies.  We didn't share a meal with extended family and enjoy the laughter and noise of the kids; we sat near complete strangers with CNN blaring in the background.  

But you know what?  I WOULDN'T CHANGE IT FOR THE WORLD.  Our little family was together and happy, and that is all that matters to me.

Today, my heart broke for the kids who had no one with whom to share their meal.  While I was blessed to eat with my family, they sat alone.  While we laughed and played, they sat in their rooms and watched TV.  

I don't know their situations and I know that some people do have to work on Thanksgiving, but I would absolutely make sure that someone was there for my child!  One 13 year old boy told me all day long that someone was coming to visit him...no one ever came.  When i took him some summer sausage from an awesome fruit/meat/cheese basket we got, he looked like he was close to tears. I tried to get him to play a game, but he wasn't in the mood.  I could understand.

For some of these kids, the only fun they have is with the therapists.  Today's holiday meant all of the therapists were gone. My wheels are already turning for what we can do in the future.  Maybe we can do a craft in the morning, or at least send craft kits for the kids to do.  Or maybe we can bring a bunch of games to play with the kids.  Something has to change...these kids have gone through too much to just sit there in front of a TV an entire holiday.

When you pray, remember the families in the hospitals.  But especially remember the ones whose circumstances left them without family today.  They need a little extra love tonight.