Give Thanks

Dear Caden,

The dust has settled. The Presidential turkeys, Popcorn and Caramel, have been pardoned. Homes are strewn with empty plates covered with crumbs. Half eaten pies and casseroles line up on the counters. The men are in a semi coma state watching the football games, groaning with full bellies and yelling at the referee. The women are chatting amongst themselves as they begin to clean up, shooing away the children as they come in to sneak one more sweet treat. The house is filled with laughter, sometimes tears, as stories are swapped, remembering those that were here last year that have gone ahead to receive their Heavenly reward. The warmth of the fire crackling in the corner leaves sweaters and jackets laying on the floor. The kids run around chasing each other, their laughter echoing off the walls. Yes, friends and family. There is so much to be thankful for.

The dust has settled. Some that were scheduled for execution miraculously just received pardoned. Homes are strewn with empty plates, covered in dust from lack of use. Half eaten rolls, meats and dried out casseroles dug from the dumpsters lay on the counter. Men stand hyper vigilant, groaning with fear and yelling at those that are outside set to attack their homes. Women huddle amongst themselves, holding their children close for safety. Others hold their children, praying and wishing they had food to fill their empty bellies, sweets are things of fantasies. The houses are filled silence, fear and tears. Plans of how to outwit the fighting outside, to survive to the next day are swapped. Others say their thanks for the meager amounts of food they have on their table, trying to be thankful for what they have now, suppressing the uncertainty of where their next meal will come from. The mothers and fathers of these families allow their children the first pass at the food, possibly not getting any for themselves, so that their little ones will not go hungry. They remember those that have gone ahead to receive their Heavenly reward, many way too soon before their time due to hunger, unnecessary violence and war. The coldness of these houses have many shivering, longing for appropriate sweaters and jackets. The children run around warming up, some are able to laugh because their parents have shielded them from the harshness of the reality they are facing. Others are too sick and too hungry, their cries echoing off the walls. Yes, friends and family. With so very little, they are so thankful for what they have.

For FOOD, in a world where many walk in hunger. . .
For FAITH, in a world where many walk in fear. . .
For FRIENDS, in a world where many walk alone. . .
We give thanks

Love,
Mommy