A special Thanksgiving complete with a God Wink
There are many ways to make happy memories. We are obviously not celebrating our typical Thanksgiving this year, but it's only 2 o'clock and I am sitting here reflecting on a day we've already had while Charlotte lays here peacefully napping away. We have so much to be Thankful for. Strangely, more so then we ever realized. But as I've written before, we've learned that it's in the adversity that treasures are revealed. Our perspective this year has created an outlook full of gratitude which has brought (and will continue to bring) us closer together as a family and also closer to God.
Nana Schuey made a lovely Ham dinner for us last night so I could be home to enjoy a holiday meal with the kids. This morning, Parker went "turkey hunting" in the woods near our house with his grandfather, we watched some of the Thanksgiving Parade on TV, then I packed up the kids to head back to Duke so we could spend some family time here together mid day. Volunteers provided a mid day Thanksgiving feast to the families here in the Pediatric Bone Marrow Unit. So a nurse sat with Charlotte while we ft to go enjoy a nice meal together. Back in the room, we spent time together. The kids played some and we had a ball with our surgical glove turkeys Parker inspired. Brian has taken the kids back home where both sets of his parents await along with our good friends, the Stalnaker's, to have a Thanksgiving celebration at home. It has been a wonderful day. We are making new memories and maybe even some new traditions as we walk this path to heal our baby girl. I won't say It not hard or emotional to be here when we long to be home together as a normal family, but God has some subtle and not so subtle ways of reaching out to help guide us through this. Which brings us to this morning:
Nana Schuey came in the door all smiles. "Did you watch the Today's show before the parade began?!" She said. I told her I hadn't. She told me of the story they aired and I felt Gods presence immediatley, speaking to us on this Thanksgiving day. I will share the clip of this news story below but what remarkable timing. We needed to hear this today. It's a story of a toddler who has survived stage 4 Neuroblastoma and she is now 12. She is into fashion and gymnastics just like our Charlotte. And she has found a way to give back to the cancer community with her gifts. This story has lifted us up today. This could be Charlotte. We are here in this moment so that she gets a real chance at having a lifetime full of Thanksgivings. I will never forget this Thanksgiving, but instead of it leaving a sad and bitter taste, I will remember it because we can taste and feel the sweetness of hope surrounding us.
Nana Schuey made a lovely Ham dinner for us last night so I could be home to enjoy a holiday meal with the kids. This morning, Parker went "turkey hunting" in the woods near our house with his grandfather, we watched some of the Thanksgiving Parade on TV, then I packed up the kids to head back to Duke so we could spend some family time here together mid day. Volunteers provided a mid day Thanksgiving feast to the families here in the Pediatric Bone Marrow Unit. So a nurse sat with Charlotte while we ft to go enjoy a nice meal together. Back in the room, we spent time together. The kids played some and we had a ball with our surgical glove turkeys Parker inspired. Brian has taken the kids back home where both sets of his parents await along with our good friends, the Stalnaker's, to have a Thanksgiving celebration at home. It has been a wonderful day. We are making new memories and maybe even some new traditions as we walk this path to heal our baby girl. I won't say It not hard or emotional to be here when we long to be home together as a normal family, but God has some subtle and not so subtle ways of reaching out to help guide us through this. Which brings us to this morning:
Nana Schuey came in the door all smiles. "Did you watch the Today's show before the parade began?!" She said. I told her I hadn't. She told me of the story they aired and I felt Gods presence immediatley, speaking to us on this Thanksgiving day. I will share the clip of this news story below but what remarkable timing. We needed to hear this today. It's a story of a toddler who has survived stage 4 Neuroblastoma and she is now 12. She is into fashion and gymnastics just like our Charlotte. And she has found a way to give back to the cancer community with her gifts. This story has lifted us up today. This could be Charlotte. We are here in this moment so that she gets a real chance at having a lifetime full of Thanksgivings. I will never forget this Thanksgiving, but instead of it leaving a sad and bitter taste, I will remember it because we can taste and feel the sweetness of hope surrounding us.
Thanksgiving is wherever your heart is. Enjoying a Thanksgiving meal in the PBMT Unit
Cheering up Charlotte who is feeling some pain today
Poppy and Parker about to go Turkey Hunting😂 Complete with a matching camo hats, a turkey call, and a spear he made out of a branch, duct tape, and tooth picks. You can't make this stuff up
Our Turkeys playing surgical glove Turkeys... making memories
A link to the Today's Show Story from this morning
PG for a wonderful family showing us the way to Faith , Courage , Strengths and Resiliency
ReplyDeleteWe are so thankful for Charlotte, super sister Taylor and big brother Parker
And especially thankful for Schuey and Neil and the commitment they have made and the incredible friendship and support Brad and Sandy provide.
We are Blessed by this special family and they inspire us by their Love and Faith
Pops & Mimi
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