Happy Thanksgiving!

Of all the holidays we celebrate in the NICU, Thanksgiving seems somehow the most appropriate for the environment.  Everyone, parents and staff alike, feels so much gratitude, and it’s wonderful to have an opportunity to express that.

Months ago, one of our doctors mentioned that when he was younger and working far away from home, it was holidays like Thanksgiving that were hardest for him. That turned into a discussion about what we could do for families who were in the NICU over Thanksgiving, which then turned into a plan to host a potluck dinner.

Please forgive the unlovely photos – it was hard to capture the true splendour of the spread we put on. (It looks deserted only because everyone stepped out of this photo so we wouldn’t have to worry about getting photo permissions!) We had chicken, potatoes, rice, beans, salad, drinks, snacks and dips, all either made or donated by staff members.

And of course we had to have dessert! All of these as well were either made or donated by staff members. One of our nurses even made up copies of her very popular recipe for chocolate chip candy egg nests to give out.

Earlier that day, a graduate family had come in with their delicious one-year old girl to celebrate her birthday with us, because the NICU had come to feel like home to them. We didn’t have the heart to take down the decorations they had put up, so we adapted them instead.

When everything was done, some current NICU parents stayed behind to help clean up. We tried to convince them that they didn’t need to, that we were happy to tidy up, but they insisted.  They said that they wanted a way to show how grateful they were for the dinner. And while many many people were a part of this night (and we say thanks to them all!), a special thank you needs to be said to the dad who scrubbed the slow cooker clean while we were dealing with the leftovers. You deserve some kind of Thanksgiving medal!

We had lots of family members turn out and lots of staff as well.  Everyone left feeling full, happy and grateful, which is exactly how people should feel on Thanksgiving. The whole evening was a perfect reminder of just how special our NICU is, and just how remarkable all the people are who spend time there, whether they’re staff members, family members, or very new humans.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!