Thanksgiving Day, 2007

Yesterday, we had to go back to UNC for a checkup. My mom, who's been here all week to help out, left me waiting in the lobby while she walked over to the parking deck to get the car. While I sat there, I had the opportunity to watch people coming and going from the hospital. I was touched to see a couple of striking examples of people loving each other.

I saw a tough-looking teenager walking hand-in-hand with an older woman who must have been his grandmother. He held her hand with one hand and in his other hand, he was carrying her purse.

I saw an elderly couple. The husband pushed the wife in a wheelchair and, when they arrived at the curb, he offered her a cane. Meanwhile, she took a good two or three minutes to fish her glasses out of her purse and put them on. All the while, he just held out the cane...he didn't drop it back to his side impatiently or tell her to hurry or anything...he just held it out for her until she was ready to take it.

I saw what must have been a mother and daughter. The daughter left the mother parked in her wheelchair while she went to get the car. She was halfway across the street when a big gust of wind came along. Turning around and walking all the way back to her mother, she asked if her mom would like to be moved back inside because it was so windy out.

I was touched to see people loving people. People taking care of each other.

I was thankful for my own mom, walking over to the parking deck to get the car while I waited.

I was thankful that when these people were sick, they had someone to take care of them. I prayed for people who are sick and don't have anyone...that their doctors and nurses and even strangers would be extra compassionate.

I held on to Baby Roo and thanked God that he was born into a family that will always be there for him.

So, today, I am thankful for relationships.













Here we are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. Notice Merrit's "Indian headress" that he made at preschool.