Happy Thanksgiving

Today I had the opportunity to volunteer for Covenant House's annual Thanksgiving Dinner. 

My day began at 10:30, where I got my apron on and headed into the kitchen to help wrap up their Thanksgiving brunch. A short time later, I realized that the 3 other guys in the kitchen were wearing hats, and I didn't have anything to keep my hair out of the way. I don't take my purse to Covenant House, I only bring what I can fit in my jean pockets, which usually includes my phone, keys, drivers license, and $20 just in case. Because of this, I had no hair tie. I ran to my car to see if I miraculously had one waiting for me, but I didn't. I ended up having to borrow one from one of the girls that work there. 

After doing random kitchen jobs for a while, another volunteer and I helped set the dining room up. I was asked to remove the lids to the things that light on fire to keep the food warm in the serving trays. For the life of me, as you just witnessed, I cannot remember the name. I hate when that happens. Anyway, they gave me a knife to pry open the kid, which resembled a mini paint can. That turned out to be a bad move. Before I even got the first one open, I slipped and sliced my thumb open. Right on the inside. It would not stop bleeding. I went through 3 Band-Aids and gauze throughout the day. That was a little concerning. Of course something like that would happen to me, and all of the kitchen and maintenance staff made fun of me for the rest of the day. 

Sternos! 

That's what they're called. 

The rest of the day went smoothly, the kitchen staff kept me busy without involving knives, a wise move on their part. There was so much going on that I can't even remember half of what I did. When it came time to serve the dinner, I was the food runner. For 2 hours I waited until one of the servers were out of a particular food, and I would exchange their empty tray for a full one. There was a TON of food. 

I met a lot of nice volunteers and staff. It seemed like everyone really looked forward to this dinner. And I now know why, at least in part. The kids were so great. Several times one of them would make an "announcement," thanking everyone for such a great dinner, followed by a round of applause. It's not about being recognized for all the hard work we put in, it was about these kids defying the stereotype of being selfish, mean, and hardened youth. If only the cranky people safe in suburbia could've seen their gratitude, it might replace their "kids these days.." speeches. If only the media could've captured their smiling faces, it might challenge the general public's mentality that all kids living on the streets have permanent frowns and weapons hidden somewhere on their bodies. 

It was a good day, and God saw it. 

When the kitchen was finally sparkly clean, I was told to "get the heck out of my kitchen and go home, woman!" by my new friend Ben, kitchen manager. I was the last volunteer to leave, probably because I don't have a life. 

As I limped out with my sore feet (I was on my feet for 7 hours in flats-poor planning on my part!), sore legs, and a tired back, I couldn't wait to get in my car and sit down!

When I leave Covenant House, I always check my windshield for a parking ticket, just in case. As I mentioned in a previous post, the chances of getting a parking ticket for not feeding the meters are once or twice a year. Much to my dismay, I discovered a white piece of paper tucked under my windshield wiper. My first parking ticket. Ever. And it makes sense that I would get one now because the year is almost over, and I have a lot of lost time to make up for. Oh well, what can you do? Plead guilty and pay the $36 fine.

So to sum up my day in a few phrases, 

-a sliced thumb

-a sore body

-a parking ticket

-blessed just to be a part of it all. 

Happy Thanksgiving!