A Soldier's Thanksgiving

As I worked on the sweet potato casserole to bring to Pam's this afternoon, I listened to the television in the background. A broadcast from an American Army base in Afghanistan caught my attention.

Lester Holt was interviewing soldiers and stopped to talk to two men who turned out to be brothers from Maine. Lester asked what was going on in their house back in Maine. They hesitated a little then answered Dad's probably asleep being tired after his early morning hunt, Mom's working in the kitchen and Gram's on her way down.

Those words just hit me right in the heart and tears started. You see, my husband Paul hasn't come home yet from his morning hunt, we called my beloved grandmother Gram, and my whole family is from Maine.

Unless we have a loved one serving overseas most of us are not even touched by the wars going. Please stop and give thanks today and say a prayer for these brave men and women who are so far from home and their families.

Happy Thanksgiving.

It's Crunch Time at Adopt-a-Family

I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving! I know we did. We spent a wonderful day with family. It was pretty relaxing for Paul and I since Pam did most of the work.

Pam is amazing in so many ways but to watch her host a party or family dinner is like watching no one else I know. When we got home last night my kitchen was messier after cooking some dessert and a vegetable to contribute than hers was after feeding people for 8 hours! Pam's organizational skills are second to none. Although I noticed that she isn't putting little sticky notes in the serving dishes anymore. I kind of miss that.

Thank you Pam, Geoff, Katie & Madeleine for a very enjoyable family day.

Now that Turkey Day is behind us, we are in the last two weeks of preparation for the week when all the hard work done by so many people who participate in Adopt-a-Family comes together. That is the week when 150 volunteers work in various shifts over 12-hour days to make it all happen. When they handle 4,000 to 5,000 bags and boxes of gifts and dozens of bicycles brought to us by our generous donors. Those gifts and bikes are then put into the hands of needy families of nearly 2000 children.

Unfortunately right now it looks like we may have to turn some families away. We've got 11 more days to match donors with families and we are ever hopeful that we will be able to help 100% of eligible families who ask.

Time will tell. You know I'll keep you posted!

Image from Google Images