I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I enjoyed spending time with my friends and family and being in the company of loved ones.

But when I came back to work, MAN! I had so much to do! I am still catching up on things that piled up while I was gone. I just keep thinking about all that delicious turkey I ate and it is getting me through each day!

Elizabeth
Wish Department

This is a short week at Kids Wish Network. Not because there isn’t work to do, but because Thanksgiving is Thursday and we have Friday off, too.

For many people, Thanksgiving is about food, family and spending time with the ones they love. It is a time to remember what is important and to give thanks for all the ways they have been blessed.

Thanksgiving is such an awesome holiday. It is a day to slow down and take a look at all the wonderful things we have. It is a chance to escape from the toils of daily life – and the struggles we face each day – and truly be happy for what we have.

I try to remember what is important on a daily basis. I always like to think about the positive things in my life, and not get caught up in the snares of the world. But sometimes it is hard to focus on the good things, especially when you feel like there are too many problems you are facing.

Working at Kids Wish Network for the past five months has put life into a new perspective for me. I talk to so many different families who are struggling with issues that make my worries seem menial. Their strength and courage is truly a testament to the kind of people they are and the kind of faith they have.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for not having to face the issues that families across this country deal with every day. I know that there will be curveballs thrown at me in the future, and for that, I am thankful that I am working here because I will remember the ability of our families to pull through the tough times and maybe it will help me do the same.

Elizabeth
Wish Department

I just wanted to wish everyone a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Vanessa
Wish Department

When I came to Kids Wish Network over a year and half ago, I had been laid off. My background was in mortgages and, with the market being so unstable, there was really nothing left for me to do in that industry. However, that was okay with me because I felt like I had reached a point in my life where I needed a change. Not knowing what to do next, I spent the next few months browsing the internet looking for something that would be different. I answered an ad for an Administrative Assistant at Kids Wish Network and I got an interview there; I was hopeful because just knew in my heart that it was “right.”

It is a wonderful feeling to get up every day with a purpose that goes beyond just the needs of my family and myself. The people here at Kids Wish are like a family; everyone seems to pull together if anyone is down or having troubles. I am so grateful for this opportunity not only to help children in need, but to also be around caring people who are much like my other family.

Heather
Distribution Department

My daughter works with a lady whose perfectly healthy 24-year-old son passed away last week as the result of a terrible automobile accident. He was married and had a young son. With three daughters of my own, I can’t begin to imagine the ultimate loss this woman is going through.

Most of us go through our daily lives and never stop to think about the struggles that so many people are going through. Many of our wish families have a child living with a life-threatening illness each and every day. All my fellow associates here at KWN work very hard to help make these children’s wishes come true and to forget about their illness, if just for a few hours or days while they are on their wish!

As we begin the season of Thanksgiving and the giving and receiving of gifts, let us not forget the most precious gift of all…our children!

Kathleen
Office and Personnel Administrator

Every year about this time I start to ponder all the things I am thankful for. This year there are so many things that come to mind. I now have a deeper appreciation for the situation I am in. Things tend to get pretty tough sometimes; life becomes a rollercoaster, and then you get a slight wake up call. So many people take for granted the little things in life, things our wish kids do not have the opportunities to do.

Children always seem to find a glimmer of hope and happiness even in the worst of times. So this year I am thankful for my family, my son, friends, my home, my job and so much more. I’m thankful that I get to get up everyday proud of the job I do. And I’m thankful for all the people who help to make the wishes and dreams come true for these wonderful children. I hope everybody takes the time to be thankful for the GREAT things life has to offer, even the little things. I hope everybody has a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving.

Megan (Development)

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I hope we all can reflect on how truly blessed we are. When I think of my children and grandchildren and know that they are healthy, I then think about all our wish kids and the struggles that they face daily. It really has opened my eyes to what is most important in our lives. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and may we all remain grateful for the gifts we have.

Doris (Development)