Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!!
One of my favorite holiday traditions happens on Thanksgiving. It started out as an act of mercy, then turned into a wonderful annual event and it occurs on Thanksgiving in a bowling alley, of all places!!
When my mom and Aunt Donna were just little girls, my mother's father would take the girls bowling on Thanksgiving to allow my grandmother peace in the kitchen while preparing the holiday feast.
They bowled at Allied Lanes on Amherst Street in Buffalo. As my mom grew, it continued every year, and as my uncles were born, my parents started dating, got married and had tykes of their own, each year on Thanksgiving, the bowling alley would be filled with young and old members of the Burkard and Noonan families. This very day there will be a fairly large group of Noonan men and children gathering at a local bowling alley to try to get a turkey on Thanksgiving. This tradition, about 65 years in the making, is thanks to Vincent Burkard and his sweet act of love to his wife, Cecilia, all those years ago. Bowl a strike for me, guys!!!
This morning I had a special moment with the young children. I was sitting on the steps outside in the courtyard, and one by one, the children came up to me for a snuggle and a good morning hug. It was a comforting and loving moment between the children and I. I am thankful for that little oasis of peace and joy this morning.
I am thankful for bucket baths!! Never thought I'd say that sentence... but at the end of the day, with all the sun-baked sweat and dirt all over me, there is nothing like the cool sensation of pouring
cupfuls of water all over. If I close my eyes and pour fast, it's almost like being under a waterfall... almost!!!
I am thankful for water. So basic, yet without it, there is no life. I am thankful for the people who bring us water each day, and for those working so hard to help us have running water again. When I get back to civilization, never again will I be able to turn on a tap or faucet without a sincere prayer of thanks for the ease of running water.
I am thankful for all the support I am receiving from a world away. It may not be that far in miles, but in life and practicality... it is another world away from this one. Thank you for your love, prayers and support.
I am thankful to God for allowing me to experience all of this in Africa. I am thankful for all the people He has sent into my life who have helped me to get here. He is awesome!
I am thankful to my sister, Linda, who knew this day might be hard for me to be here, with my family so far away. She sent me here with Thanksgiving gum balls... turkey flavored, cranberry sauce flavored and pumpkin pie flavored gum!! I will let you know if they are any good. I just hope Mary Clare and I don't turn into pumpkin pies!! (Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory... Violet turns into a blueberry after chewing a piece of gum that is roast beef dinner and blueberry pie flavored!!)
To my family, I wish you the Happiest Thanksgiving!!! I am with you in spirit and in prayer. xo
