Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Most of us are busy this week … cooking, traveling, relaxing for a change … so this post will be very short. I put together a quick Traditional Thanksgiving inspiration board for you. My inspiration was the vintage Carnation Milk ad that hangs year-round in our mud room. I’ve had it for years, and I still LOVE that procession of little feet!
 |
| Click on pic to enlarge. |
The pictures down the side came from last year’s tablescapes …
(Top and Middle) Watching the Leaves Turn
(Bottom) Happy Thanksgiving – 2010
* * * * *
I also want to share with you a “thanks giving” note I received a couple of weeks ago from one of the staff members of Hope Unlimited for Children in Brazil. It’s about a little boy who we’ll call Jorge.
My friend (who speaks English 100% better than I speak Portuguese) wrote:
I am pretty sure that all of us has tried a Milk Shake before, am I right? That applies to all of our friends, family, children… Jorge is a 7 year old boy who had his first Milk Shake yesterday at the birthday outing which we affectionately call “Happy Day.” Not knowing what to expect, Jorge chose Vanilla Flavor for his Milk Shake and when he got it he asked me, “Aunt D, is this to eat with a spoon? No, son, it’s to drink with a straw.” He said, “it tastes really good. Thank you, Aunt D.”
It melts my heart inside how such a simple Milk Shake and a Number 1 combo from MacDonalds could make a child so happy. Thank you to everyone who sponsors Birthday Outings. You have no idea how one day can change the lives of our children.
My own childhood milkshake memories center around my Granddaddy who sometimes took me out for a butterscotch milkshake. I was one of the fortunate ones. Unlike Jorge, I had parents and grandparents who loved me and made special memories with me. Jorge, until recently, was a child at-mortal-risk. If left alone, his life expectancy would be only about 4 years.
This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful that Jorge wasn’t left alone. I’m thankful he now has a safe place to live, houseparents who love and care for him, and a chance to be a child … for the first time in his life. I’m thankful he now knows how delicious a vanilla milkshake is! I’m thankful for everyone who cares enough to provide simple joys to a child.
On behalf of the millions of children in our world who need us, I hope you’ll plan to do something during this holiday season to show you care. Just think … for the cost of a milkshake you can make a difference in the life of a child! The needs are great. The options for caring are many. Will you please consider the bounty of your life during this Thanksgiving and Christmas season … and share part of it with a child? Maybe that’s something to put on your Sally List …
To learn more about children like Jorge and the difference you can make in their lives, just click the logo.
I’m linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch and
Inspiration Friday at At The Picket Fence
Inspiration Friday at At The Picket Fence
I hope that you and your family have a beautiful Thanksgiving too. Thank you for reminding to be grateful for every blessing we have, even for the small things like milk shakes!
Blessings and best wishes,
Natasha.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Susan it really is amazing the strength of these children, if only given a chance and helping hand. My tears rolled as I read your story on Jorge. The things we take for granted, here in a land filled with abundance.
I took a visit over to HUFC’s website,WOW it’s amazing the work they do. I saw they had vision trips for churches and organizations.. do you know if they have anything for individuals (or a group of individuals?). I speak Portuguese (born, in Lisbon Portugal) and would be interested in learning more about the opportunities to give a helping hand over there.
Blessings to you as you celebrate American Thanksgiving..xo HHL
I’m just getting to this since I have been blissfully enjoying daughters since last Tuesday. What a wonderful story. You’re so right about the simple pleasure of a treat at MacDonalds or even more a milkshake being something that we take for granted. Yet that simple treat, so many in our world have never EVER enjoyed.
Beautiful post, Susan.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Well, that face did it for me. I finally made the time to visit Hope Unlimited. Won’t go into the rest of the details but needless to say, God is leading and I’m following. 😉 Thank you, Susan.
PS-I had originally stopped by with the intention of letting you know that “ethereal” is the greatest compliment I’ve ever received on my blog. Now, look what one little “heavenly” word can do. 🙂
Enjoy your weekend.