Thankful Thursday

Interesting after I posted those pictures this week of Ava's recent food adventures, I saw CNN coverage on the famine in Africa. It is SO bad. The most heart breaking stories are happening right now to real people, real children, real parents. Masses are dying daily, many are children and infants. Two parents interviewed had already had their two older children die during this famine and after much travel to reach the hospital their one year old was too far malnourished to survive also, covered but lying dead next them during the interview, their only hope was now to find try to gather enough money for a respectful burial. (CNN did the right thing by assisting with the arrangements).  Can you even imagine not feeding your child when they are hungry, its the most automatic and natural parenting instinct, to provide for their basic needs for survival. My heart breaks for the parents. The UN is mobilizing but the current level of funding are no match at this time for the scale of this famine, please consider giving to this effort:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/11/africa.famine.donations/

In light of trying to wrap my mind around this, I am reflective on my own thankful thoughts this week...

I am thankful I can feed my child when she's hungry.

I am thankful I can easily give her a clean drink of water whenever she desires it. 

I am thankful I can access high quality, near by medical care whenever we have need.

I am thankful I live in a conflict free area where my home is a safe place, I can take walks in my neighborhood without fear of being attacked or harmed. 

I am thankful for our government. As complicated and messed up as our government can be there's a reason millions would love to be a called a citizen, to have their rights as human beings respected and honored. 

I am thankful that the many children who are dying now, who never had the chance at a real life, that their pain is over, that they have a heavenly father who welcomes them into his loving arms, lets them have the restful peace that only He can provide.